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Umbria 



By Lucy Heald 




Class, T3 

Book ,F \^ LG- 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



LOVE IN UMBRIA 



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Love in 
Umbria 

ji Drama of the First 
Franciscans 



By Lucy Heald, A.M. 



CAMBRIDGE 

ptintcB at <Xbt llit>et|*itit fttH 

1912 



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COPYRIGHT, 191 2, BY LUCY HEALD 
ACTING AND RECITATION RIGHTS RESERVED 



Published by the 
Class of i8g^f Smith College 



©^10 30117 



TO 

S. A. B., 

E. M. deL., 

AND 

H. P. H. 



PREFACE 

Washington's acquaintance with the Warring- 
tons is not recorded in history. With such a 
precedent — si parva licet componere magnis — 
I do not hesitate to state that many incidents 
in the following pages cannot be verified by 
any authentic biography of or even legends 

concerning St. Francis of Assisi. 

L. H. 



DRAMATIS PERSONM 

Tristan, Conte di Sensoli "j 

V to be played by one actor 
Valente, his brother J 

ViVlANA 

Felice, a gardener ^ her servant 

Innocenza, a peasant girl of Assisi 

LuiGi, Marchese d'Alessi, brother to Vivian a 

Vivian A* s Duenna 

Bianca ^ 

Emilia >■ servants to the Marchese 

Beppo . 

GiACOMO, servant to Conte di Sensoli 

Maddalena 



^'gossiping neighbors 

Tessa 

Niccolo 

loungers 



GuiDO 

PiETRO, a beggar 

Giovanni, another beggar 

Sofia, a Jiower- seller 

Gabriella ] 

^peasant girls of Perusia 
Angiola J 



viii Dramatis Personjb 

Maria, Come from Assisi to trade 

Bargainers y gossips ^ loungers, children in the square at 
Perusia 

Father Francesco, the Little Poor Man 

Brother Leo 

Brother Paolo, the little Boy-brother 

Brother Juniper, A Cobbler y ** the plaything ofjesu Christ"*"* 

Brother Giles, the Reasoner 

Brothers Simon, Masseo, The Sacristan, and other Brothers 

Two little boys of Assisi 

Sister Clare 

Sister Innocenza, the youngest of the nuns, and other Sisters 



Prologue. Scene: a public square in Perusia 
Act I. Scene: the kitchen of the Portiuncula at Assisi 
Act II. Scene: the garden of the Villa d"* Ales si 
Act III. Scene i : a cross-roads in the fields near Assisi 
Scene 2: the garden at Saint Damian^s 



PROLOGUE 

Scene : A public square in Perusia. A street 
runs through the square from left to rights 
centre. At right is seen the Villa d^Alessi^ 
facing on the square. In centre^ a fountain 
where women are washing clothes and filling 
jars with water. Other houses line the street 
that runs through the square and also an 
alley leading back from the front of the stage^ 
centre. At left, fronts a booth where flowers 
and fruit are sold. Vender s, loungers, beg- 
gars, shoppers make the square a changing 
spectacle, 
Bianca {sorting the clothes at the fountain) 
Emilia, it's bad luck you will bring to the 
Lady Viviana by your carelessness. Madonna 
protect her, for the signs are terrible ! See how 
you've mixed the women's and children's 
clothes with the men's! Did you ever know 
that sign to fail to bring misfortune ? 

Emilia 
My mistress laughs at signs. Only yesterday 



X Prologue 

I shivered to hear her mock at the fortune- 
teller for predicting sorrow. 

Bianca 
Did you ever know, I say, of misfortune's 
not coming when the women's and children's 
clothes get mixed with the men's ? 
Emilia {troubled) 
There's but one thing I can do, Bianca. 
Those candles I was meaning to burn to keep 
some one faithful, I '11 offer for my Lady Vivi- 
ana instead ! 

Bianca 
That would be wise. 

{Enter from the left, Conte di Sensoli pre- 
ceded by his servant y Giacomo, who clears 
the way, 'The Count walks with bent 
head and general appearance of abstraction. 
The loungers make way in surly fashion. 
Some children, whose play is interrupted, 
begin to cry. The Count is admitted by 
Beppo to the Villa d*Alessi.) 
Tessa {on a roof -gar den, to her neighbor, on a 
balcony across the alley.) 
Signior Valente is a patient wooer. 
Maddalena {on her balcony) 
That Signior Valente in the pall-colored 



Prologue 



XI 



garb? Not he! This Sir Pensieroso is the elder 
brother, as like Sir Allegro as a shadow is like 
the real image in the sun. This sombre one *s 
the Count, and wonderfully rich, but who could 
marry a shadow! 

^essa 

I marked the difference. The same features, 
only sallow-hued and glum. Not Signior Va- 
lente's stride or his smile, as if the thing he 
looked on was the thing he liked best. 

Maddalena 

That 's the man precisely. — And his looks 
range everywhere. 

Niccolo {a lounger) 

It *s a rare sight to see Conte di Sensoli in 
the streets. A year ago he was prominent 
enough in council. I Ve heard him speak in this 
very square, promising good laws and plenty to 
the poor. Now we are threatened with a corn 
famine, and what does he do to advise us ? They 
say he will dole out gold when urged, but what 's 
the value of gold when there 's no corn to buy ? 
Yet he called himself a "lover of Perusia." 
Guido {another lounger) 

A lover of Perusia! Curse him! His sleek 
varlet would have jostled me into the street if 



Xll 



Prologue 



I had not been braced. It 's we folks that have 
no grand masters that feel the pinch most. This 
Felice, the Marchese's lazy gardener, is fat 
enough ! 

I have thought it was time he went for the 
settlement. But it was the other brother I have 
seen. 

Maddalena (as Tristan and the Marchese appear 
on the balcony) 
We shall soon know what to think. 

(^hey gesture to each other their surmises 
during the conversation between the Mar- 
chese and the Count.) 
Marchese 
Shall we talk here ? 

Tristan 

The rest is briefly put. 
In this respect I hold myself most happy. 
That to the Lady's rank and loveliness 
Her virtue can be comparable. I thank you, 
That you are pleased, my Lord, to rate as worthy 
The name of Countess that I offer her. 

Marchese 
The name Sensoli is a warrant, — further. 
My sister is inclined to you. 



Prologue xiii 

Tristan 

An honor 
That I had not presumed or estimated. 

Marcbese 
To be honest. Sir, one of your family- 
Seemed like to win her, — young Signior Valente, 
Who will come wooing here weekdays and 

Sundays, 
Morning, noon, and night ! 

'Tristan 

A hot Perusian, 
Forever in the saddle or on his knees 
Before a lady or a shrine. The boy 
Is dear to me, — but duty to my house 
Constrains my marriage. He would fling away 
His life for a gauntlet on his wedding morn. 

Marcbese (besitating) 
They are both young and blithe. 

Tristan 

Fear not for her. 
Although she leaves the gallant for the recluse. 
My pensive life among my books shall cast 
No shade on her. Can I not value hope 
And gaiety although I have it not ? 

Marcbese 
Youth is still yours. Why will you waste its zest 



xiv Prologue 

In self-appointed exile? We have missed you 
In council-room and market-place. 
Tristan {pointing to the crowd in the square) 

Why struggle 
To lift this inert mass ? 

Marchese 

Let not your pique 
At being foiled the first time hinder you 
From future benefactions. Pardon me, 
I was your prophet and you willed to fail me. 

Tristan 
Not wilfully but out of desperation. 
Oh, I have had my dreams ! I thought to right 
The world. The glorious, idle dreams of youth! 
But better men than I have failed, and Vice 
Goes by unchallenged, and Holiness is reviled 
And stoned by the rabble. I am done with the 
world! 
{A beggar climbs up on the balcony, holding 
out his hand,) 

Pietro {the beggar) 
Alms, for the love of God! Only a penny! 
{Whispering) Listen, you that call yourself the 

lover 
Of Perusia ! 

1'ristan 
Take your alms and be off again! 



Prologue xv 

Pietro (whispering) 
Listen. I know a scheme to aid the city 
From threatened famine. 

(Aloud) One penny more, good Signior ! 
Marchese 
Your kinsman hath the zeal ; unite your wit. 
That so Perusia's fortunes may be owed 
To the name Sensoli. 

T!ristan 

I tell you, I am done 
With bickerings and shifts and bargainings 
And counter-plots! 

Pietro (whispering) 
For the sake of Perusia, hear me! 
Tristan (as he strikes down the beggar s hand) 
(To the Marchese) I owe no duty to my state 

except 
To keep myself untainted. 
Marchese (watching Pietro as he clambers down) 

That*s a bold beggar. 
He puts twopenny value on his neck ! 

(Looking down the street,) 
My sister is approaching; she's attended 
By Signior Valente. 

Tristan 
Shall we sign the papers? 
(They enter the house. A beggar approaches 



xvi Prologue 

a monk in a brown robe who has been 
going from one to another exhorting them^ 
and is now being teased by some little boys,) 
Juniper {the monk) 
Let be, let be, you little rogues ! 

Giovanni (the second beggar) 
Alms for the love of the Cross you wear ! 

Juniper 
Alas, I have nothing to give thee, dear 
Brother. The Brothers of my House will not 
leave anything lying around, for they say I would 
give everything away, and I am expressly for- 
bidden to give any part of my habit away. But 
stay — I have thought of a scheme! If thou 
shouldst take my cloak off my back, that would 
not be giving it away ! 

{He leans over and the beggar pulls off the 
cloak.) 

Guido 
Do not rob him. He is a simple good fellow 
that knows nothing but cobbling. — What will 
you say to your Superior, good Brother ? 

Juniper 
I '11 say a good man took my cloak and ran 
off with it. 

{He speeds Giovanni, who runs off. Mean- 



Prologue 



XVll 



while Viviana has entered^ left, with her 
Duenna and Valente. He scatters the 
children by throwing pennies for which 
they scramble. He must bow right and 
left to acknowledge salutations.) 
Maddalena 
Now, then, do you see any difference ? 

Tessa 
Else I should have a gourd's head on my 
shoulders ! But look, Maddalena, the lady is 
ill-pleased or indifferent. 

Maddalena 
What can you argue from indifferent looks ! 
This is baffling. 

Viviana {stopping before the flower booth) 
No camellias this morning? I would give five 
soldi for camellias for a shrine. 

Sofia {the flower-seller) 
There 's not a camellia in Perusia this morn- 
ing, Lady. But here are tube-roses. They say 
that tube-roses are like incense to the Madonna. 
(Viviana buys the tube-roses and goes in 
with Valente and the Duenna. Enter ^ 
rights a flower-girl accompanied by a 
woman who carries a baby strapped upon 
her back.) 



xviii Prologue 

Innocenza {the flower-girl) 
Let us go home. My basket will not be no- 
ticed here. 

Sofia 
My good girl, let me see your camellias ; I 
would give two soldi for camellias to deck a 
shrine. How much for this little bunch? 

Innocenza 
Two soldi. 

Maria {her companion, nudging her) 
Innocenza, that is the finest bunch you have. 
— Three soldi, she says. 

Sofia 
Holy Virgin ! Three soldi for camellias that 
are wanted to deck a shrine ! Would you rob 
the Lord Almighty himself? 

Felice {approaching) 
My mistress would give four soldi for ca- 
mellias, as Sofia knows. 

Maria 
These came from Assisi and are very fine. 

Felice 
My mistress would give five soldi for camel- 
lias from Assisi. 

Innocenza 
A soldo for yourself. Sir. 



Prologue xix 

Felice 
Five is the least she would deign to give. 
And she loves especially the golden asters that 
bloom earliest in Assisi. 

Innocenza {eagerly) 
A few weeks more and they will be in bloom, 

Felice 
I know. Each spring I must search the coun- 
tryside. 

Sofia 
My mistress likes tube-roses best. She 
bought all mine this morning. 
Felice (turning his back on Sofia and drawing 
Innocenza aside) 
How much richer is Assisi than Perusia in 
golden asters and golden tresses ! It enraptures 
me to picture how golden earrings would set 
off those tresses ! 

Maria (whispering to Innocenza) 
He offers you gold, the bridegroom's gift! 
(Meanwhile Viviana and Valente have ap- 
peared on the balcony.) 
Viviana 
Why will you weary me with being importunate? 
I am complaisant to your jesting always. 
You know the mood that pleases. 



XX Prologue 

Valente 

I would teach you 
What pleases me. 

Viviana {turning from him) 

The square is brisk to-day ; 
Trading and gossip; — you will feed the glut- 
tons 
With savory morsels. 

Pietro (clambering up again) 
Alms ! (JVhispering,) For the love of Perusia, 
Listen this time. 

Valente [gravely) 

You may not ask me twice 
In Perusia's name. 

Pietro 
Oh, now you are awakened ! 
You are nobler now with loveliness at your 

side ! — 
Pardon, your worship, I never spake with 

you 
Before. *Twas some ignoble noble spurned 
me! 

Valente (courteously) 
Be brief What is your claim ? 

Pietro 

O gentle sir. 



Prologue xxi 

Believe me in despite of all my rags. 
'T is my necessity that makes me keen. 
A farmer of Foligno hath made known 
To me how corn can be procured. 
Valente (sharply) 

The means ? 
Pietro 
Your worship knows the long-time enmity, 
Shrinking from war, Foligno entertains 
Against our city. 

Valente 
Yes. What then ? 
Pietro 

Last year 
At planting time and harvest many men 
Were drawn to war. Whereat Foligno mer- 
chants, 
Anticipating famine in the spring 
For us, bought up the Umbrian corn and 

now, 
When we 're in need, Foligno will not sell. 
Pretending scarcity of their own crops. 
He, my informant, being overheard. 
Was flung in prison. I myself escaped. 
To-night they burn the stores lest hated Perusia 
Should come to buy ! 



xxii Prologue 

Valente (rising) 

We '11 go a-marketing. 
(^hey whisper together, Valente/)«/j a chain 
about the beggar s neck,) 
Viviana 
Haggling over an alms ? Here, Master Nimble, 
The fee you '11 need for the apothecary ! 

(He clambers down with difficulty and wav- 
ing his hand to Signior Valente blows the 
whistle on the chain, 1'here is at once a stir 
in the square. Armed men come running in, 
to whom the beggar communicates his 
news,) 

Valente 
My answer! I must have it now! My sword 
Shall not be drawn again till thou hast blest it. 
My answer ! 

Viviana 
Sir, I lack the wit to guess 
The answer till I 've heard the question. Since 
You seem in haste, I 'd stay you not. Farewell, 
(She extends her hand. Meanwhile the square 
has filled with soldiers. One leads a charger 
to the door of the Villa d' Ales si. Valente 
motions for his horse to be led beneath the 
balcony. He steps upon the parapet^ 



Prologue xxiii 

Valente (calling) 
Are there any hungry here ? 

I'he Crowd 

I! I! My children! 
Valente 
Who '11 go a-marketing with me? 

T^he T^roop 

Here, Captain ! 
Valente {looking hack with a swift ^ devoted gaze ^ 

then leaping down) 
God and Saint Laurence for Perusia! 
Viviana (looking ruefully at her outstretched 

hand) 
A gallant lover ! 

(The Duenna comes out,) 
Duenna 
What *s all this broil about ? 
Viviana 
Your hero *s grown domestic, — gone to market. 
He said. 

Duenna (^looking after the soldiers) 
You let him go unanswered ? 
Viviana 

Look 
At this foolish hand outstretched for him to 
kiss. 



xxiv Prologue 

Duenna 
I can make nothing of this. Where are your 
eyes? 

Viviana 
There never was a school-girl more in love 
With soldier's glitterings than thou. 

Duenna 

We love 
The soldier not that he goes forth to slay, 
But haply to be slain. You are a child; 
Do riches touch your heart ? 

Viviana {thoughtfully) 

Who knows what touches 
The heart ? 

Duenna 
Dear child, I '11 pray you may be happy. 
(She goes in, The Count comes out on the 
balcony, Viviana greets him with frank 
pleasure,) 
Felice {leading Innocenza to the balcony) 
Mistress, here are fine camellias. 

{He climbs up a little way, holding out the 
basket, which Tristan takes.) 
Sofia 
Folks of queer manners come out of Assisi. 
Bold hussies and mad friars. We all know 
Francesco Bernadone for a roisterer. 



Prologue 



XXV 



Innocenza {fiercely) 
He is a holy saint! 

Tristan {returning the basket without taking 
out any flowers^ hut -putting a coin into 
Felice's hand) 
They are all too pale or sickly sweet for thee. 
A flower that 's all a vivid gaiety, 
Nor hides its crimson heart in paler petals. 
Nor languishes upon its stem, but glances 
In every breeze. A poppy in the grass! 
(T^o Innocenza) Bring me red poppies and you 
shall be rich. 

Innocenza 
The first red poppies shall be hers, your worship. 

Viviana 
Buy poor Sofia's flowers. They are hungry here, 
And she loves Felice, 

(Tristan gives more money to Felice, point- 
ing to Sofia. Felice does the errand with 
a grimace.) 

See, your tube-roses 
Are better than camellias for my shrine. 

Tristan 
It suits my lady's pleasure to be indulgent. 
Why do you look so fondly on this scene ? 
Dwelling on some fair picture in the mind? 



XXVI 



P R O L O G U 



Viviana 
Is it not bright and beautiful to see ? 
The little children earnest at their games ; 
The idlers basking, gossips sedulous. 
Grandmothers benevolent, the bargainers 
Out complimenting one another ; then 
A moment ere you came, the thrill and lift 
Of brave, impetuous men ! Only you 
Arecalm and wiser! {With averted gaze ^ Lastly 

you may see 
The rueful, unregarded monk. 

Tristan 

The measure 
Of my lady's charms I had not found ; — she 's 

grown 
Philosophical. In that I may make claim 
To teach you much. 

Viviana 

Why, Sir, doth it require 
Philosophy to see what is plain, and love ? 

T^ristan 
By your sweet blindness you may not discern 
Greed and deception, sloth, the menace lurking 
In beauty of age's ugliness. Ah, now 
I have dimmed your vision more myself who 
would 



Prologue xxvii 

Cherish your gaiety, for I am sad ! 
Forget those words and praise my simile! 
This brooch I wear to mind me of the child 
I was — I found this topaz hidden away 
In a secret drawer whose spring my prying hand 
Had chanced upon. Oh, wonder, for within 
Must burn a magic fire! It harmed me not. 
Yet it blazed fiercer than firelight ! 

Viviana 

Silly child! 
Quaint philosopher ! 

Tristan 

Day after day 
I drew it, trembling, from its hiding-place. 
My breast. Some day, I said, it cannot fail 
To burn to ashes. So I true believed. 

Viviana 
The round-eyed rogue! 

'Tristan 
But never the jewel failed 
To flash in the sun. And now I know my jewel, 
Because it is a jewel, must glow forever! 
Now for my simile — 

Viviana {anticipating) 

Philosophy 
Came late with me. This gem, the mate of yours, 



xxviii Prologue 

I bade my mother hoard till I was grown 
And could wear it in a ring. All vanity ! 

'Tristan {urgent) 
Even as Lady Viviana *s destined 
To be the Child of Joy. Wouldst thou hear more 
Of similes ? 

Viviana 
Your rhetoric is skilful ! 
Juniper [demanding to be heard) 
Dearly beloved, flee from the world and put 
away sin! Render to others their due if you 
would escape from Hell; follow the command- 
ments of God to love God and your neighbor, 
if ye would possess the kingdom of Heaven. 
Dearly beloved, flee from the world. 

Tristan 
A sombre interruption. Yet the man 
Kindles the fancy ! Ecstasy in rags ! 
There may be matter in this frenzy worth 
My study. 

Fiviana 
As philosopher I *d rate you 
Beneath the poet ! 

Tristan 

Come, the simile. 

(Tbey go in together,) 



Prologue xxix 

Maddalena 
She never listened so long to Signior Valente, 
God keep him ! 

A Perusian {running in) 
Why are you not all at the gate ? Our troop 
is marching. Shall we speed them with our 
prayers ? 

^he People in the Square 
Yes, to the gate. Our deliverers ! 

{Soon the square is emptied and the people 
at windows and on balconies and roof- 
gardens have disappeared. Enter from 
the left a youth carrying a cage of turtle- 
doves. He looks about the empty square 
with disappointment. He sets the cage 
upon the counter and rests, Tou can hear 
the voice of a street-singer. Soon he ap- 
pears^ a brown-clad friar. As he comes 
down the alley he looks up at the houses^ 
singing to them, 'The youth spies him and 
hastens with alacrity to greet a possible 
customer, The friar blocks the alley with 
his arm, Tou can see the phases of the 
interview ; astonishment^ chagrin, disap- 
pointment, contrition, satisfaction on the 
part of the youth. He returns the way 



XXX Prologue 

he had come. The friar enters the square^ 
bearing the bird-cage. He looks about the 
empty square, resuming his song. T^hen he 
passes out, singing, and as he goes, releas- 
ing the birds from the cage.) 
'The Friar 

My heart 's aflame with love ! 

My heart 's aflame with love ! 

CURTAIN 



DRAMATIS PERSONS 

Tristan, Conte di Sensoli 



to be played by one actor 
Valente, his brother 

ViVIANA 

Felice, a gardener^ her servant 

Innocenza, a peasant girl of Assisi 

LuiGi, Marchese d'Alessi, brother to Vivian a 

Viviana's Duenna 

BlANCA ■" 

Emilia \ servants to the Marchese 

Beppo > 

GiACOMO, servant to Conte di Sensoli 

Maddalena "I 

V gossiping neighbors 
Tessa J 

NiCCOLO ^ 

> loungers 
GuiDO J 

Pietro, a beggar 

Giovanni, another beggar 

Sofia, a Jiower-seller 

Gabriella ^ 

>peasant girls of Perusia 
Angiola J 



xxxii Dramatis Persons 

Maria, Come from Assist to trade 

BargainerSy gossips, loungers, children in the square at 
Perusia 

Father Francesco, the Little Poor Man 

Brother Leo 

Brother Paolo, the little Boy- brother 

Brother Juniper, A Cobbler, ** the plaything ofjesu Christ^"* 

Brother Giles, the Reasoner 

Brothers Simon, Masseo, The Sacristan, and other Brothers 

Two little boys of Assisi 

Sister Clare 

Sister Innocenza, the youngest of the nuns, and other Sisters 



Prologue. Scene: a public square in Perusia 
Act I. Scene: the kitchen of the Portiuncula at Assisi 
Act II. Scene: the garden of the Villa d^ Alessi 
Act III. Scene i : a cross-roads in the fields near Assisi 
Scene 2: the garden at Saint Damian^s 



Love in Umbria 



ACT I 



Scene : Kitchen of the House of Portiuncula at 
Assist, Brother Juniper, with great zeal 
and show of busyness ^ is building a great fir e^ 
left. Brother Paolo is sweeping. On a 
pallet, right, half reclines a sick man, Tris- 
tan, CONTE DI SeNSOLI. 

Juniper 
THIS kitchen is the room of all the House 
Wherein the Devil works mischief. Here I stay, 
Wasting the time that I might spend In prayer 
On things to tempt our lustful appetites. 
I have bethought me how this grievous sin 
May be avoided. 

{PFithout some one knocks timidly, 'The Broth- 
ers cease their work and kneels praying si- 
lently, The knock is repeated more boldly ; 
then a third knock, impatient^ 



2 Love in Umbria 

Juniper {rising) 
We should be prepared, 
Having repeated thrice the Pater Noster, 
To greet the stranger. — In the name of God, 
Enter! 

{He admits, rear^ two little boys; one carry- 
ing chickens tied by the legs ; the other 
laden with kettles swung over his shoul- 
ders as well as in his hands ^ 
Juniper 
God save you, little friends ! Ye come 
Just on the hour. God shall reward you 

both 
For service greater than ye understand. 
Hast thou no greeting, Brother Paolo? 

Paolo {shyly) 
The Lord give you His peace. 

Elder Boy {staring at Paolo) 

We may not stay. 
It was forbid. 

Juniper 
Well spoken, little son. 
I would not hinder thine obedience. 
Another time. Which is the elder, thou? 
Then take this silver bell into thy charge. 
If trouble come to either, thou shalt find 



Love in Umbria 3 

The value of it. Fare ye well, my sons. 

Fear God and obey your mother ! 

(They go out, reluctant, wondering. As they 

pass Paolo, the younger thrusts a handful 

of chestnuts into the Little Brother s hand.) 

Tounger Boy {to Elder) 

Does he play 
Like us? 

Elder Boy 

Hush, he must pray! 

Tounger Boy 

What puts that shine 
Into his eyes? 

Elder Boy 

Hush, mother says the angels 
Speak in his ear! ['The door closes after them,) 

Paolo {glowing) 

Oh, look ! All these for me ! 
{To Tristan.) Oh, Sir, if thou couldst eat them — 

Tristan 

No, my child. 
But let me see you feast. Your little cheek 
Is not too round. — Good Brother, pray explain. 
Do you prepare a royal banquet here ? 

Juniper 
Hast thou not guessed my plan ? I have ar- 
ranged 



4 Love in Umbria 

This morning to prepare abundant food 
To last a fortnight. For I count it sin 
If but one Brother stay away from prayers. 
I went about and begged the food and pots. 

Tristan 
A noble task! 

Juniper 
But one thing now I lack, 
An herb that groweth in the meadow near. 
Brother Paolo shall tend thee whilst I go 
To gather it. Hast need of anything? 

'Tristan [wearily) 
Of nothing. I will call our little Brother 
If there be need. 

Juniper (bending over the sick man) 
Still far too pale and wan, 
Yet marvellously hast thou mended since 
That sorry day I found thee on the ground. 
Flung from thy horse. *T was God's own blessed 

hand 
That led thee hither. 

Tristan 
So I should believe, 
Dear Brother. 

Juniper 
Peace unto this House. 



Love in Umbria 5 

Tristan and Paolo 

Farewell. 
{As Juniper puts on his cloak^ Paolo runs 
up to hiniy pulling at his cloak.) 
Paolo 
Dear Brother Juniper, be very careful ! 
Remember thou hast been forbidden to give 
Any part of thy habit away. This cloak is ragged 
And the air is chill to-day. Let no one take 
Anything away from thee, or else the Guardian 
Will chide 1 

Juniper 
Fear not, my little Guardian ! 
{He goes out, rear. Tristan seeming to be 
asleep^ Paolo roasts his chestnuts at the 
fire^ singing softly,) 

Paolo {singing) 
Little Brother Fish, 
Beware the wriggling worm ! 
The fisher too is hungry, 
I saw his cruel hook. 
I speak as thy brother. 
Little Brother Fish. 

Little Sister Ant, 
Why such foolish haste ? 



6 Love in Umbria 

Fear not for the morrow, 
The Lord will provide ! 
I speak as thy brother, 
Little Sister Ant. 

Little Sister Bird, 
Spread thy shining wings. 
Fly for me from North to South, 
From East to West, and make the 

Cross ! 
I love thee as thy brother, 
Little Sister Bird ! 

(Tristan stirs, Paolo runs to him.) 
Paolo 
Oh, Sir, thou couldst have slept but for my 

song, 
And I, thy nurse ! 

Tristan 

No, boy, I cannot sleep. 
Sit here, our Little Brother-to-the-sick. 
Come closer, so. Do you find happiness 
Here in this House, and never long to play 
With village children ? 

Paolo 

Nay, I am happy here : 
I work and pray and sing. Hast thou no work? 



Love in Umbria 7 

Tristan 
Yes, to be brain and will for a hundred oafs 
Who earn their bread of me ; whereby more 

beggars 
Are born into the world. 

Paolo 

Our Father saith 
Whoever benefits God's poor is blest 
A thousand thousand fold. 

1'ristan 

'T is only death 
Can aid the poor. 

Paolo 
We all do pray for death — 
Tristan 
Ah, hush, my child — 

Paolo 

May I not speak ? I wish 
That thou wouldst teach me how to hold thy 

sword. 
Dost thou wear it thus ? Our Little Father 

saith 
Some men may fight, but we are men of peace. 
Look how it gleams ! 

Tristan 

Aye, for the stains of blood 



8 Love in Umbria 

Were cleansed long ago. Men say the Count 
Disdains to fight ; they dare not say he dares not. 
This gleaming thing is symbol of revenge. 
Your tender hands shall not be sullied. 

Paolo 

Nay, 
I was 'ware of the blade. 

Tristan 

Come, put away the sword, 
But ask whatever else you will. 

Paolo 

I wish 
That I might touch this great golden jewel 
Thou wearest on thy hand. 

Tristan 

Why, you shall wear it. 
Paolo 
Oh, Sir, how beautiful ! The Brothers say 
Thou must be rich, and Brother Elias said, 
" Perchance he '11 give some money to the 
Order." 

'Tristan 
What said the others ? 

Paolo 

Brother Leo said, 
" Are we not named the Order of Poor Brothers ? 



Love in Umbria 9 

"I pray he'll give his heart unto the Order.** 
" Amen," said Brother Juniper, and I 
And all the rest spake likewise. How much gold 
Didst thou have to give to buy this jewel ? 

'Tristan 

None. 
It was a gift, exchanged. 

Paolo 

How thou must love 
The giver ! 

Tristan 
Golden as the gem and flashing. 
{The bell rings for Sext. The murmur of the 
antiphons may be heard; the voice <?/" Little 
Brother Paolo, shrill and sweety rises 
above the other voices as they recite the 
Salutation to the Virtues^ 
Paolo and the Brothers {unseen) 
Hail, Queen Wisdom! The Lord save thee 
with thy holy sister, pure Simplicity. O holy 
Lady Poverty, may the Lord save thee with 
thy holy sister Humility. O holy Lady Charity, 
may the Lord save thee with thy holy sister. 
Obedience. O all ye most holy virtues, may the 
Lord, from whom ye proceed, save you. 

Amen. 



lo Love in Umbria 

Paolo {rising from bis knees) 
Oh, take it back! I fingered it in my prayer. 
*T is a great sin ! 

'Tristan 

No sin, you foolish boy — 
Paolo 
I will confess. Father Francesco knows 
How I was tempted. Once he carved a vase 
Of wood, and when he said the prayers for 

Tierce, 
He thought a moment of the vase. " Since 

this," 
Quoth he, " hath power to stop the sacrifice 
" Of praise that I was offering to the Lord, 
" It shall be sacrificed." Gems are a snare. 
And all beautiful things. 

Tristan 

Would you not see 
The wonders I have seen : fine palaces 
And armored knights and lovely little maids 
Fairer than angels ? 

Paolo 

Nay, what I have seen 
Is yet more wonderful. 

Tristan 

How, starry eyes ? 



Love in Umbria ii 

What hast thou seen, the which remembered 

brings 
That flush — the radiance of the acolyte 
Bearing the sacred taper? 

Paolo {hesitating at firsts but reassured by Tris- 
tan's smile^ 

On a night 
When Father Francesco lay by me, I tied 
My cord to his, because I wished to know 
Whither he goes by night. For I had marked 
How after Compline he doth lay him down ; 
But at the midnight, whilst the others sleep, 
He riseth up. So waking from a dream 
Of him, I found the cord unloosed, and rose 
And went in search of him, and in a field 
I found him, rapt in prayer. I knelt beside. 
Touching his cloak, and it was cold and dark. 
{In ecstasy) But presently a marvellous light 

from Heaven — 
Oh, brighter than the sun — shone all about! 
And in that glory I beheld our Lord 
And Mary Mother and the blessed John 
With a multitude of angels : and they spake 
Unto my Father. Blinded by that light 
I swooned and fell upon the ground, and there 
He must have found me when the vision faded. 



12 Love in Umbria 

And next I felt the warmth of his own breast. 

For then our Father lifted me 

And bore me homeward tenderly ; 

Resting in his arms, asleep. 

As doth the Shepherd with His sheep. 

'Tristan {when at length the boy has remembered 

his presence^ 
Only the pure in heart shall see God. 
The vision hath been hidden from my sight. 

Paolo 
Oh, Sir, thou art a noble gentleman ! 
'T is thou and Brother Juniper I love 
After our Little Father. That is why 
I grieve when thou art suffering and when 
Thou chidest me, for I do ever try 
To please thee. 

Tristan 
Child, the fault is mine. Thy dream 
Was " yet more wonderful " than palaces 
And knights and little maidens. 

Paolo 

It was true ! 
{Enter Juniper, rear^ with a bunch of herbs. His 
cassock is ungirdled, Paolo inspects him anxiously.^ 

Juniper {briskly) 
All 's well ? Now, little one, thy task is done. 
Haste to thy prayers. 



Love in Umbria 13 

Paolo 
Oh, Brother, where 's thy cord ? 
I almost know the Guardian will be angry ! 

Juniper 
But who would call a cord a part of one's habit ? 
A poor man lacked a rope to lead his cow ! 
(Paolo goes out, reluctant, right,) 
Tristan 
I am persuaded — almost — to remain 
Here with you always, so that I may learn 
Simplicity from you, and charity. 

Juniper 
Ah, not from me ! I am the worst of men ! 
But from the Little Poor Man. He can speak 
So thou wouldst be persuaded to renounce 
All worldly pleasures. When he shall return 
All will be well ! 

(Tristan falls asleep. Juniper puts all the 
pots on the fire. He drops in eggs in their 
shells and chickens with their feathers on, 
^he fire being fierce, he ties a plank to his 
body and so leaps from pot to pot, skim- 
ming the stew. Enter Brother Leo, right, 
^hey greet each other silently for Juniper 
signals that Tristan is asleep, Leo is 
amazed at the many pots and the great 



14 Love in Umbria 

fire. He lifts a lid and puts it down hast- 
ily^ holding his nose,) 
Leo 
It is a wedding feast 
Methinks thou art preparing. 

Juniper 

Thou shalt see ! 
Leo 
Our invalid, is he to have his share? 

Juniper 

Nay, \ is too rich for him ; but here 's fresh milk. 

{Enter y right. Brother Simon. He too marvels at 

the cookings making signs of amazement to Leo.) 

Juniper 
The stew is cooked. Now I will ring the 
bell. 
(When he has rung the bell, many of the 
Brothers pass y from rear to right , through 
the kitchen to the refectory. Juniper car- 
ries in one of the pots and is heard crying) 
Juniper 
Eat well and then to prayers. No one need think 
Of cooking for a fortnight. 

Leo (hastily^ 

I will stay 
To tend this gentleman. 



Love in Umbria 15 

Simon {hurrying away^ rear) 

And I must go 
To guard the altar that the Sacristan 
May eat, which Brother Juniper hath done 
This morning. 

{L.to feeds Tristan, who has been roused by 
the bell.) 

Leo 
Milk is better food for thee. 
{Presently the Sacristan hurries through the 
kitchen to the refectory,) 

Sacristan {muttering) 
Never again shall Brother Juniper 
Be left on guard! Two silver bells are gone. 
Torn from the altar cloth; and one, I know. 
Given to a beggar woman! 

Tristan {to Leo) 

I could tell 
To whom the other one was given. 

Leo 

I fear 
Dear Brother Juniper must suffer for this; 
But he taketh joy in suffering. 

I'ristan 

Such joy 
Is all you know, who dwell within this House. 



i6 Love in Umbria 

And yet you bear you like to men that find 
The secret of joy. 

Leo 
Our Father taught us how 
To find the perfect joy. 

'Tristan 

Then, in God*s name, 
I pray you tell me how. 

Leo 

Right willingly. 
Whenas our Little Father and his son 
Were journeying from Perusia in winter 
Unto Saint Mary's, and were sore distressed 
From cold and rain and hunger; then said he: 
"O Brother Leo, little lamb, wouldst know 
"Wherein is perfect joy?" "Right gladly, 

Father." 
" If haply when we reach Saint Mary's door, 
"The porter cry in anger, 'Get you gone. 
"*Ye be two rogues!' and when we knock 

again, 
"He rush upon us with a knotty stick; 
"Then if we bear such slander and abuse 
" Right patiently, nay, even with delight, 
"From thinking on the wounds of Jesu Christ, 
"Therein is perfect joy!" 



Love in Umbria 17 

'J'ristan 

Alas for me! 
I am unworthy. In my heart I know 
I would have seized that stick and beaten him 
With all the knots thereof! 

Leo 

I pray thy soul 
May be redeemed from such unrighteousness. 
Canst thou instruct me how to find a joy 
Intenser? 

Tristan 
Each man's is superlative 
To him. 

Leo {doubtfully) 
And thine? 

1'ristan 
I shine but by reflection. 
Leo 
The Count Sensoli's name shineth in Umbria 
By its own lustre. 

'Tristan {with a shrug) 

You have lived in the world, 
You know how soon a man perforce exhausts 
The adventures of our life: love, war, domin- 
ion; 
Recoiling on the world of thought. 



i8 Love in Umbria 

Leo 

Aspiring 
To the world of spirit. 

Tristan 

If you name it so. 
Leo 
Dominion tempted thee? 

lyrist an 

Must I be taught 
A second time the market price of honor P 

Leo 
And war hath sickened thee? 

Tristan 

Two ravening hosts 
Each claiming God for General ! 

Leo 

One thing 
Remaineth — art thou free from passion's fet- 
ters? 
Tristan {laying one hand over the other) 
I owe a duty to my house — moreover, 
I would not tarnish her most perfect joy. 
Think you to hoard it all? And as for me, 
'Tis sweet to own a jewel always flashing — 

Leo 
Gems are a snare 1 



Love in Umbria 



19 



Tristan 
— Whene'er I have the will 
To gloat on it. {His hands fall apart,) 

Leo 
Brother, what of her soul? 
Yet thou wouldst tarnish that ? 

Tristan 

Pardon me, Sir, 
Your zeal is indiscreet. 

Leo 
Discretion is 
Anathema unto the Brothers Minor. 
But I forget thy weak estate. 'Tis prayer 
Thou needest rather than monition. Rest 
And be content. Wilt thou not drink again ? 
(Tristan takes the cup again from Leo. 
Brothers Ruffino and Masseo pass 
through the kitchen^ from right to rear.) 
Masseo 
Eggs in their shells and fowls unplucked! 

Didst see 
The anger of the Guardian? Quoth he, 
"There is no pig in all the land of Rome 
" So famished as to eat this stew ! " 

Ruffino 

Dear fool, 
This is his day of trouble : 



20 Love in Umbria 

'Tristan {to Leo) 

How is this? 
Leo 
Didst thou not mark how he prepared the stew ? 

Tristan 
I was asleep. 

Leo 
*T was even as they said. 
Tristan 
Dear blessed fool ! *T would be a noble task, 
He thought. 

Leo 
In truth his aim is always noble. 
Tristan 
Now, tell me. Brother Leo, in good faith, 
Did you fast right willingly? 

Leo 

Right willingly. 
{They check their laughter as Juniper enters ^ 
very dejected; attended by Paolo, who 
watches him wistfully^ 
Leo 
He Cometh, sad of look. I will depart. 
For he would be alone. To-morrow I 
Am sent unto Perusia and will bear 
A message to thy kinsman of thy gain 
In strength and ease. 



Love in Umbria 21 

'Tristan 

I thank you, Brother Leo. 
(Leo goes out^ yight^ without speaking to 
Juniper. The latter seats himself in a 
corner and begins to mix a mess of flour ^ 
assisted by Paolo, who is eager to help.) 
Tristan 
Dear Brother, do not look so sad. 

Juniper 

Alas! 
I am the worst of men ! One was condemned 
To lose his eyes, another to be hanged 
For evil deeds ; far more do I deserve 
For wasting many of the useful things 
Of God and of the Order. 

Paolo 

Say not so ! 
Dost not remember what our Father said ? 
" I need a forest of such Junipers ! " 

Juniper 
Dear lamb ! 

Paolo 
'T is true ! He spake before us all, 
{Enter the Guardian.) 
Guardian 
How farest thou to-day, good sir ? 



22 Love in Umbria 

Tristan 

Right well. 
I lack not with such care. I thought to rise 
To-day — I would not tax your kindness 
more. 

Guardian 
Nay, Sir, such haste were dangerous. Accept 
Our humble care, I pray. 

(Juniper kneels before Guardian, offering the 
bowl of pottage.) 

Juniper 

O Guardian, 
When thou reproachedst me, thou didst shout 

so loud 
That thou wert hoarse ; remarking which I made 
This pottage, excellent for swollen throats. 
I pray thee, taste. 

Guardian 

What now, O foolish one ? 
Dost think to offer me another dish ? 
How many times hast thou deserved reproach 
To-day? Thy cord is lost, the altar robbed 
Of silver bells, another waste of food ! 

Paolo {loudly to Tristan) 
As soon as Father Francis comes, he '11 grieve 
That Poor Men trim the altar with such gauds ! 



Love in Umbria 



23 



Juniper 
I thank thee for these words, O Guardian. 
Reproach is sweet. But eat thy pottage, pray. 
For it will ease thy throat : 't was made for thee. 
(Guardian refuses by an angry gesture^ 
Then if thou wilt not, I *11 refresh myself 
For I am faint. 

{He begins to eat the pottage, 'The Guardian 
marvels at the many pots on the dead fire.) 
Guardian 
Oh, what unprofitable 
And foolish work 1 Yet was he edified 
And thought to serve us. Now how meek his 

look. 
His face all red from toiling ! Brother dear. 
Since thou wouldst have it so, we two will 

eat 
Together. {He sits down by Juniper.) 

Juniper {when they have finished) 
Art refreshed ? 

Guardian 

Aye, of a truth. 
By thy devotion am I more refreshed 
Than by the food. Thy penance shall be light. 

Juniper 
I pray thee, make it hard, O Guardian ! 



24 Love in Umbria 

Guardian 
If haply that the Father do return 
To-night, thou shalt confess thy fault to him. 

(Guardian goes out^ right.) 
Juniper 
Oh, Sir, he saith the Father may return 
To-night ! Then shall my heart be comforted 
And all this House shall thankfully rejoice. 
He too hath known reproach and shame and 

sin. 
And he is ever mindful of our pain. 

Tristan 
The man you term "The Father," is not he 
Son of the merchant Bernadone ? One 
Scorned by his father, driven from his home, 
Men say ? 

Juniper 
*Tis true. Rejected and despised 
Even as One other. 

Tristan 

But his youth 
Was sinful. 

Juniper 
Dissolute and idle ; first 
In wicked daring of Assisi's knights. 
Ah, he whom thou shalt see is bent and worn ! 



Love in Umbria 25 

His face is pinched, yet lovely to our eyes. 
A face that children smile at ; all the birds 
Answer his call ; even the beasts of the field 
Fawn at his feet, begging for his caress. 

'Tristan 
But what have I to do with such as he ? 

Juniper 
He giveth hope to all that are in sin. 
"None need despair/' quoth he, "since I have 

turned 
" From sins so grievous." 

Tristan 

He would count my sin 
Of doubt most grievous. 

Juniper 

Hark thou, friend, it is 
The Devil prompts these doubts ! 

{Enter Brother Giles, right) 

Here cometh one 
That reasons shrewdly. Tell thy doubt to him, 
That he may cast it out. 

Tristan 

Then, Brother Giles, 
In all your reasoning, have you found the 

clue 
Out of the maze ? 



26 Love in Umbria 

Giles 
Is it not written plain? 
" Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy 
heart — " 

I'ristan 
Hear me ! 

No man's blood is on my hands, 
No man's goods have I robbed, 
Nor broken faith with man or maid ! 
You thought me a knave afraid to die? 

Giles 

Not so. 
Perchance the Pharisee. 

Tristan 

Believe me, no. 
Perplexed rather than proud. This world 's a 

maze 
Wherein I lose myself. 

Giles 

There is a path, 
*T is narrow, yea, but straight ; obedience 
Doth lead unto all good ; the road to sin 
Is disobedience. For if a Brother 
Have given another promise to obey. 
And it should hap, that whilst an angel spake 
With him, the Brother should be summoned, 
then 



Love in Umbria 27 

He ought to run to do obedience, 
Leaving the angel. Like unto an ox 
That boweth low beneath the yoke and thus 
Tilleth the furrows straight ; in selfsame wise 
The true Religious doth obey ; unyoked. 
The ox would wander wide and so the fields 
Be barren and untilled. 

Tristan 

I could not bow 
Beneath a yoke of obedience ! 

Juniper 

Blast this pride. 
Lord Jesu, bend his stubborn heart till he 
Shall bow beneath the yoke ! 

Tristan 

I cannot, nay, 
I will not! 

Juniper 
Struggle no more, my brother. God 
Will send thee victory in His own time. 
Be quiet now and sleep. Be not afraid. 
God is thy guard, so if the tempter knock. 
Safe in thy castle thou canst make reply, 
" Begone ! the fortress is already ta'en, 
" And no more folk may enter here within ! " 

Tristan {fretfully) 
Take off this velvet cloak. It burdens me. 



28 Love in Umbria 

Juniper 
But none were dangerous. 

{He takes a cloak from a peg,) 

Spread over him 
The Robe of Poverty ! 

'Tristan {smiling^ unresisting) 

That being poor 
In person, therefore God will grant me grace 
To be poor in spirit ? 

Giles {coldly) 

We will pray to God 
To work that miracle. And let me warn thee, 
Who wears this robe, puts it not lightly on. 
{Fervently) For knowest thou not how it was 

consecrated ? 
One was there in this evil land of Rome 
Who yearned to bear in his own flesh the 

pains 
Of bleeding Christ. And when he stood alone. 
Reviled, stoned, shivering in the market-place, 
Out from the church-door came the Man of 

God, 
Had pity and wrapped this robe about him. 

We 
Whom he hath chosen have a fair ensample. 
For God hath sent His own Poor Little One 



Love in Umbria 



29 



To be the light of Umbria ! Yea, I 

Will prophesy — this city set on a hill, 

Assisi, light, shall justify its name ; 

This hut become a shrine for far-off pilgrims ; 

And our mean selves remembered since he 

loved us, 
Francesco, Little Poor Man ! 

'Tristan 

Strange is his sway, 
For I have pondered much the lives of men, 
Marvelled at many, loved a few, but none 
Compelled me ! 

Paolo 
Wilt thou stay and be my brother ? 
Our Father comes to-night. 

Tristan {pushing the boy aside gently) 

You have my love 
And gratitude as kindly hosts, but ask 
No more. I am aweary. 

Juniper 

Little one. 
Another bundle of fagots on the fire, 
And then we '11 leave our brother to his rest. 

Paolo 
But look ! What gleams here in the coals, 
brighter 



30 Love in Umbria 

Than firelight ? 'T is my lord's great golden 

jewel 
He wears upon his hand. Oh, pity ! 

Giles 

Beware ! 
The jewel will not burn, but thy soft fingers 
Would smart. 

'Tristan 
The careless child was playing with it. 
Paolo 
Oh, Sir, I gave it back ! It spoiled my prayer ! 

Giles 
My Lord, it must have rolled away unfelt. 
Thy hand is wasted. — To-morrow, little brother, 
Thou *lt sweep it from the ashes. 

Juniper 

Oh, to think 
How many poor that bauble would supply 
With food and raiment ! 

Paolo 

But he loves the giver. 
[He embraces Tristan timidly,) 
I thank thee for thy scolding, it was sweet ! 

(Tristan returns the caress, smiling.) 
Juniper 
God give thee peace ! 



Love in Umbria 31 

Giles [as the three Brothers go out) 

Urge him no more. A dreamer 
Who hath no kin with Poor Men. He is dainty. 
And being sick, mistakes for piety 
His humor. 

Juniper 
Dare we deny one penitent ? 

{"They go out) 
{^he room has grown dim. The fire burns 
fitfully, A shaft of moonlight falls across 
the bed, Tristan stirs restlessly^ 
Tristan 
So all my life were plain before me — prayer, 
Fasting, and labor, with a quiet heart ; 
And over common things a poetry 
Like moonlight silvering a dusty road. 
What hath the world vouchsafed that I should 

shrink 
To part therefrom ? Riches, estate ? But they 
Afford more leisure for that contemplation. 
The malady of ease ! Who of my peers 
Delights me more than this quaint cobbler 

fellow ? 
Ah, they are wise, these simple folk that choose 
The way of peace ! How dim the past has 
grown. 



32 Love in Umbria 

As if my life began within this House. 
Darkly I see Perusia's towers, my kindred, 
Dim save one vision burning on mine eyes. 
Her face ! Those eyes alight and lips aflame 
And signal of my coming in her cheeks. 
A poppy glowing through the grass — she said. 
Being urged, that name pleased most. And is 

it nature 
The poppy should take on the lily's hue ? 
Or bridal raiment change to this dull garb ? 
The Virgin bride of Christ ! — Forgive me, Love, 
Thy jewel in the soot! 

[He strives to reach it, but falls back weakly. 
Without, some one is approaching, singing 
with poignant sweetness^ 
'The Voice 
My heart's aflame with love! 
My heart's aflame with love! 
My heart 's aflame with love! 
Tristan [curious, thrilled) 

Who mocks them here? 
The Voice 
I wed a bridegroom new, 

The little lamb of love. 
When on the ring he drew 
He wounded me to prove 



Love in Umbria 

My heart can break in two. 
Now I in prison move. 



33 



Now He hath conquered me, 

All enmity doth cease 
And love in verity 

Attends upon our peace. 
'Tis Christ enamours me. 

I am mighty through His grace. 
My heart shall faithful be 
To Christ who comforts me. 

My hearths aflame with love! 

'Tristan {sinking back) 
"Aflame with love!" 'Tis I who have been 

mocked! 
(Enter^ rear, through the moonlight a stranger in 
the habit of the Brothers Minor, The cowl 
hides his face. He bears in his arms a 
wounded hare. He moves softly to the pallet 
and bends over Tristan, questioning: then 
lifts the cloak, revealing the rich garments 
beneath. Believing Tristan to be asleep, he 
replaces the cloak gently. Then he makes a 
bed of straw by the fire for the hare. 
The Stranger {fondling the hare) 
Little Brother, why didst thou let thyself be 
caught 



34 Love in Umbria 

In the cruel trap ? I have delivered thee 
And thou shalt be at ease. Be quiet now. 
Fluttering heart ! Thy brother holds thee safe. 
{He sings softly as he lays the hare upon its bed) 
My heart's aflame with love! 
My heart *s aflame with love! 
My heart's aflame with love! 
Tristan [roused, watching the Stranger idly) 
Ah, Tristan, Count Sensoli, can it be 
Thou wouldst endure to wear such dingy garb. 
Be shrunk to such mean stature, wear that look 
Of humble poverty ? 

[As the Stranger kneels, the cowl falls from 
his face ; and the fire, blazing suddenly, 
illumines the beauty of the Little Poor 
Man.) 

Ah, God, the face! 
Who art thou? 

(Tristan staggers from his couch. Francesco 
springs to support him, greeting him with 
a kiss,) 

Francesco 
Poor Little One of Jesu Christ, 
His Shepherd. Welcome, brother little sheep ! 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 



(Lady Viviana and her duenna are walking in 
the garden, Felice, the gardener ^ approaches 
with a bouquet of golden asters for his mis- 
tress, Innocenza is waiting bashfully at 

the gate,) 

Duenna 

WHY are you not content? I've heard you 

praise 
This garden, call it " Joy in Quietude," 
" Dream o* the Heart," — more names than I 

remember; 
Yet now it irks you. 

Viviana 

I '11 not be content 
With terraced lawns and cypress shade and urns 
Of cactus, whilst the fields are pied with flowers. 
Look where that line of white doth cut the green 
Of corn-fields ! 'Tis acacia making sweet 
The highway to Assisi. Every hedge 
Is twined with honeysuckle ; cyclamen, 



36 Love in Umbria 

Campanula swinging its bells, pale clematis, 
Rosemary, violets perfume every hedge. 
{Noticing Felice.) Ah, lad, thou knowest what 

I love ! My flower 
That with the nightingale doth bring in May. 
Where didst thou gather them? 

Felice 

It was not I — 

Viviana 
*T is not thy gift ? 

Felice 

Dear lady, I told her how 
I bring thee every May the earliest blooms. 
She *11 watch too for the earliest poppies. 

Viviana 

Then 

I know who found these. 

Felice 

She 's to be my bride. 
Viviana 
Thy bride ! Hear, Madam, this boy I *m wont 

to tease 
To blushes — how the olive glows — this boy 
Would have a wife ! 

Duenna 
Most foolish 1 



Love in Umbria 37 

Viviana 

Nay, secure ! 
For all their love is hoarded for each other 
Since first he sighed to the moon, since first she 

blushed 
To her glass. 

Felice 
My Innocenza bade me say 
She prayeth every night that joy will come 
Unto the Lady Viviana. 

Viviana 

Tell her 
To burn her candles for another wish. 
I have no lack of joy. I '11 pray for her. 
But was she grown ? 

Felice [pointing to Innocenza) 
Look again ! 
Viviana 

Fetch her hither ! 
(Felice runs to fetch Innocenza. ^hey ap- 
proach their mistress hand in hand, wait- 
ing for her to notice them, Viviana has 
put some of the asters in her hair,) 
Duenna 
A child would love their gold, but why shouldst 

thou 
Cherish the weeds ? 



38 Love in Umbria 



As children do. 



Becometh thee. 



Viviana 
For that I love the gold 

Duenna 
A taste more delicate 



Viviana 
Is it unmaidenly 
Preferring gold to lead, and life to death? 

Duenna 
I beg thee guard thy tongue, dear Viviana; 
I never spoke such words. 

Viviana 

Last night we paced 
The terrace whilst the nightingale complained 
To the stars. And when I cried," Ah, me ! to thrill 
" With the lark in the fields at dawn ! " I heard 

thy sigh. 
Despair not. Madam, *t is this fault of mine 
For which Tristan doth love me. " Like my 

jewel, 
{fingering her brooch) " Thou must forever 

gleam.'* Then I replied — 
Pray stop thine ears, dear Madam, for my tongue 
I will not — " Ever I shall flash in the sun. 
'T is thou 



Love in Umbria 39 



<( 



Who art my sun!" — Oh, I can guess your 
thought — 
My sun 's ofttimes obscured ! I am the breeze 
That clears the sullen clouds before my lord. 
The Sun ! 

Duenna 
I cannot stop all ears that hear thee. 
{To Felice.) Poppet ! She 's but a child for thee 

to tend 
And thou needst mother more than wife. What 

skill 
Hath she in housewife duties ? 

Felice 

All the ways 
To keep my house — to bake, to sew — 

Duenna 

Speak, girl. 
Innocenza {with sudden boldness) 
Madam, my mother taught me how to serve 
My husband, how to keep him warm and fed. 
Obey him, love him — 

Duenna 
Spoken well. Too young 
But promising. Now keep thy kettles bright. 
Thy linen fresh, never forget thy prayers. 

{She gives Innocenza a coin,) 



40 Love in Umbria 

Felice 

Our thanks, sweet lady. 

Innocenza 

The Virgin bless thee, Madam. 

(^he Duenna crosses to the other side of the 

garden,) 

Viviana 

Where didst thou pluck this flower? A violet 

grown 
In Perusia's meadows? 

Felice 

In Assisi, my lady. 
Viviana 
Assisi ? She can tell me, then — My child. 
Come hither. Felice, away. We two will talk 
Together, we women. 'T is not for thee to hear. 
(Felice returns to his task of clipping the 
hedges, Viviana seats herself upon a mar- 
ble bench, Innocenza stands before her,) 
Thou art Assisi born ? And dost thou know 
That strange community of friars that call 
Themselves the Brothers Minor ? 

Innocenza 

Yes, my lady. 
Viviana 

" Their Little Portion," is it rude and bare ? 

And would one suffer there in sickness ? 



Love in Umbria 41 

Innocenza 

Rude 
And bare their lodging is, but merciful 
And tender are the Brothers unto all 
That suffer, be it pain or sin. 

Viviana 

There's one 
Lies there in pain whom I would tend. Ah, me ! 
There winds the road ! Were it a thousand miles, 
He could be no further from me. 

Innocenza 

Do not grieve. 
The Little Father with his blessed hands 
Perchance doth tend him. 

Viviana 

The Little Father? 
Innocenza 

He 
We called Francesco Bernadone once. 

Viviana 
Tell me of him. 

Innocenza 

My mother served his mother, 
Lady Pica. When I was a child he gave 
Me toys. To me he was a Prince, and all 
Assisi flattered him. But now, — ah, lady. 



42 Love in Umbria 

He Is a saint of God ! Men say he bears 
The wounds of God in his own flesh. Myself 
Have seen a wonder. Once when we had roamed 
In the fields, returning, I by chance espied 
The Little Poor Man, so I lingered last 
To win his smile. And then my heart stood still, 
For after him there crept a horrid wolf. 
Ere I could scream, he turned and said, "Fare- 
well, 
" My Brother," and the wolf went on his way. 

Viviana 
A wonder truly, or the wolf was fed 
Till satisfied. Methinks I can recall 
Tales of youth that left a life of ease 
And mirth for poverty. To me 't is dark 
Why men should think God can be praised 

alone 
By groans. Dost hear the chaffinch chaunting 

there 
In the mimosa ? He is praising God 
With blithesome voice that soundeth sweet to 

Him 
As the nightingale's lament. This world 's for 

Joy, 

Beauty, Romance : for lovers* amorous sighs 
As well as prayers. What thinkest thou, Inno- 
cenza? 



Love in Umbria 43 

Innocenza 
Even so, my lady. 

Viviana 

Loose that yellow tress. 
Thy hair will match a ribbon I will give thee. 
'Tis brighter even than mine. For shame to 

play 
The lady ! 

Innocenza 
All my parents* kin are brown. 
It shameth them that I should have such hair. 
But Felice likes it. 

Viviana 

Aye, he doth, I *11 warrant. 
Innocenza 
He wrote a song about my yellow hair. 
That 's what he 's singing — made upon the day 
He saw me first. I wore this cowslip gown. 

Viviana 
[Aside) Not faded yet ! — Who could not be a 

poet 
With such a gown to rhyme about ? We *11 lis- 
ten. 

(Felice can be heard singing,) 
Whene'er she combs her tresses. 
Veil that *s spun of foam and sun 



44 Love in Umbria 

Must fold those little shoulders 
In lingering caresses. 

Innocenza [demurely) 
Now I *11 surprise him ! i^^^P^s) 

The dark-eyed stranger mocks me, 

I plaited smooth my tresses. 
Felice [appearing above the hedge) 
Thou saucy mocking-bird : [Singing) 

She thinks her milk-white kerchief 
Hides from me those darling curls. 
But see on her quiet forehead 
One curl that *s strayed in mis- 
chief. 
Innocenza [singing) 
My mother will call me foolish 
To wear my finest kerchief. 
Felice [singing) 
There 's nothing that can compare. 
Flower o' the broom, thou art too dull. 
Bloom o' the wheat, 't is paler. 
Silk o* the corn, \ is rougher 
Than Some One's golden hair ! [, ' 
Viviana 
Oh, sweet! There's more? Felice, I would 

rank 
Thee greatest of poets save one other. 



Love in Umbria 45 

Felice 

Pardon, 
My lady, Innocenza is the song — 
I made the words and tune. 

Viviana 

Incomparable 
Then I must rank your poesie! 

Innocenza 

Thou dolt, 
To thy work ! 

Felice 
Pardon again, my lady. Try me 
*Gainst all the maiden rhymers of the town 
And I will warrant to outdo them all. 

Viviana 
Then bring them in. I warn thee I am stern 
In judging rhymes. 

(Felice runs to the house and calls beneath 
the window^ 

Felice 
Emilia, Bianca! 
{He runs to the gate and calls,) 
Sofia, Gabriella, Angiola! 

{Two heads appear at the window.) 
Come out and try your skill with me at rhyming. 
Our mistress doth command it. 



46 Love in Umbria 

Bianca 

We're obedient. 
(^hey hurry out, Gabriella, Angiola, and 
Sofia appear at the gate,) 
Sofia 
What's all this chattering about? 

Emilia 

Come, girls, 
We'll bring the blushes to Felice's cheeks! 

{They whisper together, Felice slings a guitar 
over his shoulder,) 
Felice 
Who's ready? 

Emilia [stepping forward) 
Sharpen your wits. Sir! 

[They begin to dance side by side, Felice 
playing an accompaniment to her song,) 
Emilia (singing with mock chagrin) 
Felice, lovely lad. 
Thy wooing makes Perusian maidens sad! 

(Felice, still dancing and playing, selects a 
palm leaf and casts it at Emilia's feet?) 
Felice {singing) 
Flower o' the palm! 

Familiar beauties leave me cold and calm. 
But strange delights have strangest power to 
charm. 



Love in Umbria 47 

Viviana 
Well begun! 

Gabriella {waving her handkerchief to Beppo, who 
has appeared in the doorway, and taking 
Emilia's place beside Felice) 
The calf would plough, the fledgling fly. 
Since young Felice goes a-wooing by! 

(Beppo claps his hands,) 
Innocenza 
Now, then, Felice, bestir thyself! 

{He selects a stalk of aloe and presents it to 
Gabriella.) 

Felice {singing) 
Flower of the aloe ! 

Alas, how age can turn fair maidens sallow! 
Yet youth must learn old age to fear and hallow ! 

Beppo {to Gabriella) 
Yield now! 

(Felice throws a wreath of roses around In- 
nocenza's neck.) 

Felice {singing) 
Flower o* the rose! 

In praising thee, hark how my music flows! 
You listen and the crimson deeper grows ! 

Viviana 
You approach a climax! 

(Bianca takes her turn.) 



48 Love in Umbria 

Bianca [singing) 
Felice, worthy is thy pride! 
With kisses we will welcome home thy bride ! 

Viviana 
That 's the sweetest poesie I have yet heard ! 
(Felice selects for her a bouquet of mignon- 
ette) 

Felice (singing) 
Flower o' the mignonette! 
Bianca*s beauty keeps me quivering yet. 
Though Innocenza bids me to forget! 

Fiviana 
A trifle overdone, Innocenza? 

Innocenza 
I am no judge of rhymes, sweet lady ! 

(Sofia comes forward.) 
Sofia [singing spitefully) 
Since vain you frayed your shoes before my 

garden-door. 
You seek new paths, new beauties to adore. 
Soon you'll be barefoot, so one pang the 
more! 
(Felice picks a squash vine and throws it 
about her neck) 

Felice (singing) 
Flower o* the squash! 



Love in Umbria 49 

Some lips speak wisdom, others only bosh! 
I choose to kiss the crimson cheeks that wash! 
{All the other girls cry out exultantly.) 
Viviana 
What skilful jesting! There you were hard 
pressed, Felice! 

Sofia {going away) 
I Ve no more time to waste. Trade is good 
to-day. 

Felice 
One more song, girls ! 

(They form a ring about Viviana. Felice, 

singing, as they all throw before her 

branches of hawthorn which Felice has 

broken.) 

Flower o' the thorn ! 

For my poor rhymes our mistress hides her 

scorn. 
Fair as the starlight, fairer than the morn 1 

Innocenza {kneeling) 
Flower o' the golden star, 
Mary, send healing out of Heaven afar! 

(Beppo, who had re-entered the house after 
Gabriella's song, now reappears,) 
Beppo 
Signior Valente waits within. He seeks 
My master. 



so 



Love in Umbria 



Viviana 
Signior Valente here? What news? 
Thou hast not dared to come without a mes- 
sage! 

Beppo 
The Count Sensoli is restored. 
Viviana {to Duenna who has been looking on) 

Good Madam, 
Thou hearest ? — Say the master 's gone, I know 
Not where. Conduct Signior Valente hither. 
Children, away with you ! {'To Angiola) I '11 

hear thy song 
Another day, and will award the prize. 
And thou shalt have thy ribbon, Innocenza. 
But now away with you. 

{They withdraw, Bianca and Emilia to the 
house, Angiola, Sofia, and Gabriella to 
the square, and Felice and Innocenza to 
the upper terrace, where Felice resumes his 
work,) 

Beppo {returning) 

Signior Valente 
Entreats thy pardon, but he may not stay 
Till he hath found Marchese d'Alessi. 

Viviana 

Sirrah, 

Conduct him hither ! 



Love in Umbria 



51 



Beppo 

Aye, my lady. 
Viviana 

So 
That lean-faced friar spoke truth. But 't was 

twelve days 
Ago he came, twelve lagging days without 
A message from him ! — Madam, 't is no marvel 
Messer Valente falters. You remember 
How last he figured before me ? Here was my 

hand 
Awaiting his farewell. Before the act 
The shouts insisted. Then he wrenched his 

sword — 
" God and Saint Laurence for Perusia ! '* 
And he was gone ! 

Duenna 
Would you have stayed him ? 
Valente {entering) 

Ladies, 
Your servant greets you. 

Duenna {giving her hand) 

Welcome, Signior. 
Viviana 

Hail, 
O conqueror! 



52 Love in Umbria 

Valente (sombrely) 

God guard thee, dearest lady. 
Viviana 
And thee, Sir Long Face. What I thought to 

hear 
Was " Hail, Conqueror of all hearts." Such 

speech 
Was wont to become you better. Drooping 

plume 
And trailing colors ? Thou dost wear the front 
Of the vanquished ! Thou, the Champion of 

the Corn ! 
Have we not greeted you with laurelled pomp 
But yesterday ? To-day you sulk. Nay, this 
Is grief! Tristan ! You have deceived me! 

Valente 

Nay, 
He is restored. I swear it by the mass I 

Viviana 
When have you seen him ? Tell me, is he 
wasted ? 

Valente 
He was asleep — 

Viviana 
Then, why could you not stay 
Till he should wake? 



Love in Umbria 53 

Valente 

I can return anon — 
Before the summons comes again to war. 
For marketing hath grown a dangerous trade. 
My brother's letter I read in my saddle. I 

spurred 
My horse and never stayed until I reached 
The House of Portiuncula. Be assured 
It is well with him ! 

Duenna 
Fie on those foolish cheeks ! 
Viviana 
I *11 see the letter. 

Valente 

Nay, I have it not. — 
Viviana 
Thou stupid ! What message hath he sent ? 

Valente 

He sent — 
His blessing. 

Viviana 
Oh, you never were in love ! 
Is this the hero all Perusia's maids 
Adore ? Pray, do you wear such doleful looks 
Before my Lady Laura or Lady Tessa 
Or Maddalena on her balcony ? 



54 Love in Umbria 

Valente 

They 
Heed not my frowns nor I their mirth : but 

only 
My Lady Viviana. 

Viviana 
Now at last 
I know thee for Valente. How was it 
I could deny the soldier for the scholar? 

Valente {mirthlessly) 
'T is plain — 

Viviana 
Ah, true ! But come, sit here with me 
And talk of him. — Canst bear to listen, 
Madam ? 

{Enter Marchese, left.) 

Marcbese 

You here ? O God in Heaven, curse thou the 

name 
Sensoli here and in Hell forever — Why 
Am I come too late ? I should have been the 

first 
To tell thee. Could my body shield the blow, 
My life for thine ! 

Viviana 
Tristan ? 



Love in Umbria 55 

Marchese 

Behold your work, 
Assassin, accomplice! Her cheeks will be no 

whiter 
In her coffin ! 

Valente 
Tristan is alive ! 'T is thou 
Hast killed her ! I could tell her nothing. 

Tiuenna 

Child, 
He is alive ! Dost hear, my darling ? 

Marchese 

Dearest, 
All that I have is thine. Thou shalt be mis- 
tress 
Here always. But there are braver men and 

truer 
Who love thee. Spurn his memory ! 

Viviana 

The truth ! 
Will no one tell me ? 

Valente 

I must tell thee. God 
Instruct me how to speak ! — My brother 

Tristan, 
Having renounced all riches and rank and one 



56 Love in Umbria 

Dearer than life, to save our souls with his, 
Hath taken the unalterable vows of a Brother 
Minor ! 

Duenna 
Oh, Mary, spare this child ! Smite me for her ! 

Valente 
Assassin ! The word was true ! 
^ Marchese 

To save his soul ? 
Nay, to be damned to everlasting hate ! 
The market-place is ringing with the scandal ! 
Valente, we were friends before. And now — 

Valente 
*T is ended now ? Be it so. There will be time 
To talk of that henceforth. She needs us now. 

Marchese 
My brave girl ! 

Duenna 
I 'd rather see her tears. 
Viviana 



The letter ! 



Valente 
Here. Shall I read it thee? 
Hear how he loves thee ; written in agony. 

{Reading) "You to whom I write now bear 
alone the name Sensoli. For Count Sensoli is 



Love in Umbria 57 

minded to put on the habit of the Lesser 
Brothers and hath elected to be known as 
Brother Humble." 

Duenna 
But stop ! It is yet too late ? 

Valente 

'T is three days past — 

"Our age is vapid, somnolent, besotted. I 

weary of the world and I had wandered in a 

wilderness till now a path appears leading to 

peace ! " 

Marchese 
A path for children and the blind, perchance. 
But not for men. 'T was ever thou, Valente, 
I loved best, honored most. What other word 
Befits the man that will not beat his path 
Even through the wilderness — I who admired 

him 
And would advance him — I must ask what other 
Befits him as doth " Coward " ! 

Fiviana 

I forbid you ! 

Valente 
'T is past endurance ! Sir, my brother's honor — 

Duenna 
Oh, Sirs, forbear ! 



58 Love in Umbria 

Viviana 
The letter ! 
Valente 

Pray, forgive. — 
" I charge thee sell our father's lands, to which 
I am the heir, and give the money among the 
poor." 

Marchese 
He robs his only kin! 

Valente 

He is the heir. — 
" Communicate my purpose to Marchese 
d* Alessi ; and say to her I was about to wed, that 
God has saved me from the wrong I would, in 
ignorance, have wrought her — " 

Viviana 
No wrong save this ! 

Valente 
" I bid her cleanse her heart of sinful, vain de- 
sires for earthly marriage ; which to perform she 
shall betake herself unto the convent of Saint 
Damian's — " 

Viviana 

Ob, dreadful ! 

T>uenna 

Is't a face 
To hide beneath the veil? 



Love in Umbria 59 

Valente 

Wilt hear the end ? — 
"Where she shall find the perfect joy. This I 
command her, by our love ; and by thine honor 
and our bond of blood, I charge thee make no 
hindrance. I pray for thee, that God will turn 
thee from thy delight in worldly things. Oh, 
brother, would that thou might taste the joy I 
have found within this House." 

Marchese 
The end ? 

Valente 
Forbear ! 

Luigi {snatching the letter from him) 
"Make no effort to dissuade me, for I deem it 
best that thou be denied entrance. These gray 
walls, this bed of rushes, are transformed into a 
chamber for the fairest of brides, my Lady 
Poverty." 
He *s welcome to his bride, the fool ! 

Duenna 

Oh, Sirs ! 
Pray take your quarrel elsewhere. Leave us 

now. 
I need to tend her as she were my child 
Again. 



6o Love in Umbria 

Viviana 
Yes, leave me. 

Marchese 

Sister, dost thou think 
I 'd leave thee now ? 

Duenna 
Oppose her not, my lord, 
I beg. My darling, do not grieve too much. 
It may be thou art spared the agony 
A wife can know. Oh, I had feared for thee, 
Thou Child of Joy ! It is as if he died 
In youth, sinless, and leaving thee for Hea- 
ven. 
Wilt send me from thee ? 

Viviana 

Go, all but Valente. 
And, Madam, I do not think to grieve thee 

more 
With that unseemly gaiety he loved — 

Duenna 
Thou torturest me ! 

(Marchese and Duenna retire^ 
Viviana 

That word, it was not true? 
Valente 
A cursed lie ! 



Love in Umbria 6i 

Viviana 
So help me to believe ! 
{^he clock of a neighboring church strikes six,) 
The hour is Sext. The Brothers are at prayer. 

Valente 
Your face shall come across his prayer. 

Viviana 

Perchance. 
A little while the poppies shall look red 
As lips ; the wind crisping the grass shall sound 
Like silken skirts, and then — he will forget. 
Deny me not, I know. I 've watched that face 
Grow pensive even whilst he vowed, "I love 

thee!'* 
My sigh, a touch, and the wavering flame leaped 

forth 
All glorious. And I have been content. 
Yonder he 's praying God to cleanse my heart 
"Of sinful, vain desires." An hour ago 
Here in this garden a young peasant maid 
Sang me her lover's song, sweet as the call 
Of birds. But she was sinful ! Hark to the 

blackcap 
Calling his mate ! How high and wild and 

sweet ! 
O sinful world of God ! 



62 Love in Umbria 

Valente 
God's wounds ! Ah, Tristan, 
Was it worth the piteous cost to save your soul ? 
If so one climbs to Heaven, I '11 writhe in Hell. 

Viviqna 
" As if he died in youth, sinless ! " Why, then. 
Are broken vows no sin ? Forgive me, dearest, 
I know your heart is rent, praying for me. 
And I must pray for you, or else in Heaven 
Your virtue be counted evil. " I command her 
" By our dear love — " So, then, I must obey. 

Valente 
What will you do ? 

Viviana 

Why, I will go my way 
Unto the Convent of Saint Damian's — 

Valente 
By Heaven — 

Viviana 
Farewell, my Joy in Quietude. 
My roses, yield your sweets : I '11 treasure them 
In my heart forever. The place is dark and cold 
Whither I 'm going, dark and cold. But there 
I shall be nearer him. And all the world 's 
Grown dark and cold. 'T is thou who art my 
sun ! 



Love in Umbria 63 

Valente 
Look at me, lady. Nay? I say you shall. 

Viviana 
I did not know your eyes were so like his ! 

Valente 
Curse him ! Look close. Does the flame waver? 

Viviana 

Forbear ! 

Valente 

Nay, you shall hear me now. I '11 give to thee 

Roses, free air, thy thoughts shall soar like birds. 

And homing find a nest in my heart. The 

cloister 
Would be your prison cell, a tomb 1 

Viviana 

Free air 
And roving thoughts ? 

Valente 
And gems and silken robes ! 
Viviana 
Oh, shame ! You think me a wilful girl that 

weeps 
For stolen trinkets? 

Valente 

Sweet, mistake me not. 
I could not let that rough, ugly robe 



64 Love in Umbria 

Touch you. I know you tender women : you 
Would wear your martyrdom like a crown till 

the thorns 
Sting you to death. Oh, let me be thy ser- 
vant. 
My love is humble. God ! I did not come 
To speak such words ! When first I read his 

letter 
I marvelled how a man could be so noble. 
And then I thought of thee ! My brain whirled, 
And now but this is clear, — I curse his name 
Who wrought thee woe ! — I love thee 1 

Viviana 

I forbid ! 

Valente 
I rode to the House of Portiuncula. 
They told me he was sleeping; and at prayer 
When I knocked again. I would have burst the 

door 
Had not one Brother spoke so graciously. 
I rode away ashamed. His holy look 
Softened me till I saw thy stricken face. 

Viviana 
I charge you, help me to perform his will. 

Valente 
Are you a marble saint or breathing flesh. 



Love in Umbria 65 

My beauty? How long before you loathe your 

prison? 
He never loved you ! 

Viviana 

Once before you clamped 
My hand like this ; but at the shout of soldiers 
Forgot your courtesy, my Captain ! 

Valente 

Then 
You choose a coward ? 

Viviana 

Hush, you make me scorn 
Myself and you. I should be proud, proud, 
*T was leaving me for Heaven. 

Francesco {appearing at the gate) 

The Lord give you 
His peace ! 

Viviana 
Ah, peace ! You speak that word who 
wrought 
Me agony ? Tell him I will obey, 
1 *11 pray I may forgive him — say his jewel 
Hath burned to ashes ! 

Innocenza {to Felice as she runs to open the gate) 

Look, the Little Poor Man ! 
Here 's my Felice. He *s an honest lover 



66 Love in Umbria 

Who gives me golden earrings. Bless us now. 
Dear Father ! 

(♦S*;^^ kneels before binty dragging Felice down 
beside her.) 

Viviana 
Bid them cleanse their sinful hearts 
Of love ! 

Valente 
Oh, hush ! You mock a holy man ! 
Francesco 
Thou here, my little Sister ? Be good children, 
And love your Lord ! 

{He blesses them and dismisses them, ad- 
vancing down the terrace steps,) 

I come to bring good tidings 
Of great joy, even I, Poor Little One 
Of Lord Jesu Christ. I come to bid 
Thee welcome to our life of poverty. 
O perfect joy! O bliss ineffable! 
Above all graces and all gifts that He 
Vouchsafes to His beloved, is the pearl 
Most precious, sacred, and most lovable, 
'Tis holy poverty ! *Tis this that hung 
With Christ upon the Cross, with Christ was 

buried. 
With Christ it rose again, with Christ ascended 



Love in Umbria 67 

To Heaven. Therefore let us pray to Him 
To make us worthy to become true lovers 
Of sacred Poverty! 

Viviana {awed) 

Does his face shine 
Like yours ? 

Francesco 
He yearns that thou too mayest know 
The perfect joy ! 

Viviana 
My joy was perfect. Then 
His face would shine like yours? 

Valente 

Now I have lost you! 
(He kneels before, her^ bowing his head upon 
the hilt of his sword.) 
And I have stained my name with slandering 
My brother. Only my sword is honest. Bless 
The wielding of it 1 When thou art shriven and 

veiled. 
Bespeak me oft to God, for I am sinful! 

Viviana {wavering) 
I might have girded it upon thy side! 
{^0 Francesco) Take me away from him ! 

(Francesco throws his arm protectingly about 
Viviana.) 



68 Love in Umbria 

Valente {sadly ^ quietly) 

I cannot harm thee! 
(Francesco places his hand upon the hilt of 
Valente's sword, blessing it.) 
Francesco 
Lord Jesu Christ, bless thy child. 
Make his heart pure and mild ; 
Grant him grace coming and staying, 
Waking and sleeping, living and dying. 
Amen. 

CURTAIN 



ACT III 

Scene i. 



Scene : A cross-roads in the fields near Assisi, 
'The roads cross the stage diametrically^ the 
one leading to the rear winds through a little 
copse on rising ground. In the foreground^ 
right y a great rock, from beneath which bub- 
bles a spring. Enter, right. Brother Hum- 
ble. Shading his eyes with his hand, he gazes 
long up the winding road. At length he seats 
himself on the rock. 

Humble 

''TIS proved how Brother Ass can ease the 
burden 

For Brother Soul. The more I am a-wearied, 

The more content. Bare feet and rough attire 

Prove potent medicine for world-weariness. 

Here cometh one, whose garb, although 'tis 
motley, 

Denotes our kinship. 



70 Love in Umbria 

{EnteVy righty Glacomo, in a tattered livery. 
Humble opens his wallet and takes out food.) 

Brother, wilt thou dine 
With me? 

Giacomo {eagerly) 
For two good reasons, Father : first, 
I am famished ! second, you owe me something, 

you 
Of the brown-clad friars. For once I had a 

home 
And master, but my master chose to change 
His velvet for your garb. So I was driven 
Into the world with only a piece of gold! 
Next day the gold was gambled at the fair! 
My wife grows thin and ugly and the babies 
Are always crying — Once I had a roof — 
{He looks closely into Humble*s face, then 
throws the bread into the ditch.) 
Master, the bread I fed your hounds was sweeter! 

{He goes out.) 
Humble {calmly) 
This robe is mail against ingratitude's 
Fierce shafts that can no longer reach my heart. 
{In the distance some one is singing. In the 
pauses of the song, the nightingale sings 
as if in answer.) 



Love in Umbria 71 

I'he Voice 

Love, Love, who thus hast wounded me, 

1 can proclaim no other name than Love. 

Love, Love, let me be joined to thee, 

1 shall embrace none other dear as Love ! 

Humble 
He Cometh, heavenly poet 'mid our age 
Of vicious prose. I think the very leaves 
Lean lovingly to him, the flowers yearn 
To be plucked. Hark, now, the nightingale 

would sing 
As sweet ! He counts the universe his kin. 
Francesco {singing) 

Love, Love, thou so entrancest me, 
My heart is always quivering with love. 

1 am quivering for thee. 
Love, but to be with thee! 
O Love, for courtesy, 
Make me to die of love! 

(Humble hastens to greet Francesco as he 
appears in the leafy path^ centre.) 
Francesco 
Why wert thou silent, Brother? I had harked 
Along the way for thy response. 

Humble 

I have 
No skill in singing. 



72 



Love in Umbria 



Francesco 
Little Sister Bird 
Sang antiphon to me. A thankful heart 
Makes sweetest melody. Our tongues should 

have 
No use but to exalt the Lord. My rule 
Enjoins that ye go singing on your way. 
I name my children CaroUers of God. 

Humble 
Once I delighted me with deathless words 
Of singers long since dust. But now I walk 
Familiar with a poet that transmutes 
Our homely tongue to music. 

Francesco 

I command, 
Call it not poesie, my praise of God ! 
It sings untutored on my lips. O Thou 
Most sweet, my God ! My spouse ! Delight of 
my soul ! 

Humble 
Thou art fain to sing the world to righteousness. 

Francesco 
My voice is weak, but I must lift it up 
So long as I have breath. What of thy quest? 
This first endeavor I have laid on thee? 

Humble 
This food, a prayer or two for benediction. 



Love in Umbria 73 

Gibes from a knave that knew me 'neath my 

cowl, 
And peace within. 

Francesco 
Take heed to preach the Word 
Acceptably, nor whatever dwells within, 
Be it peace or storm. 

Humble 

It was tranquillity 
I sought in putting on this garb. 

Francesco 

Nay, then. 
Thou erred. Thou canst not buy the peace of 

God 
With cord and cassock. Furthermore, His 

peace 
Is something sweet and fiery that thrills 
The heart a-quivering. 

{He lays the food on the rock,) 
We are unworthy 
Of such great treasure. 

Humble 

Pray, how canst thou speak 
Of treasure where there is such poverty? 
I Ve chosen poverty, I *11 bear the sting 
Of toil and hunger willingly — 



74 Love in Umbria 

Francesco 

My son, 
I do not shun the sting, I count it bliss. 

Humble 
For there shall be reward? What if we lack 
For cloth and knife and porringer and board 
And home and servants? It shall be accounted 
For virtue verily. 

Francesco 

I had no thought 
Of gaining a reward. I was reminded 
Of God's sweet courtesy. He that vouchsafes 
To send His rain alike upon the just 
And the unjust, hath fashioned this broad stone 
To be our table, and hath given a spring 
Of crystal water that the thirsty pilgrim 
May be refreshed. Therefore I count it treasure. 
For our inn was not prepared by human hands. 

Humble 
Oh, keep me with thee always ; I would drink 
Of the fount that leaps within thy heart. 

Francesco 

No more 
Of thee or me, but eat and pray, then onward. 
{Praying) Sweet Jesu, thou hast fed us like the 
ravens. 



Love in Umbria 75 

In Thee is all our trust. Amen. 

{^hey eat sparingly^ Behold 

The covetous ants are seeking for their portion. 

But they shall be denied ; they have forgot 

The words of Jesu Christ, since they take 

thought 
For the morrow. Therefore let us feed the 

birds, 
Who best obey Him. 

(He scatters some crumbs on the ground. One 
bird darts down and seizes a crumby then 
another and another until a flock is hover- 
ing over the rock?) 
Francesco (advancing^ finger on lip) 

Behold, the Little Religious, 
The hooded lark! 

[He fills his hands with crumbs, ^he birds 
alight on him and peck the crumbs. He 
begins to preach to them softly.) 

My sisters of the air. 
Much bounden are ye unto God your Maker, 
For He hath given you the power to fly 
Where'er ye will. — See how they ruffle their 

wings ! 
They understand my words. — He hath pre- 
served 



76 Love in Umbria 

Your seed in the ancient ark of Noah, lest 
Your happy race be lost. The boundless air 
He appointeth for your home. And more than 

this. 
Ye sow not, neither do ye reap, for God 
Will feed you ; streams and fountains hath He 

given 
To be your drink. The mountains and the 

vales 
Are for your refuge with their mighty trees 
Whereon to make your nests. And since ye 

lack 
The skill to spin and sew, God clotheth you 
In shining feathers, double and triple raiment. 
Therefore, my little sisters, since your God 
Hath shown such love for you, avoid the sin 
Of ingratitude and study ever more 
To sing praises unto God. 

{He makes over them the sign of the Cross, 

'They soar aloft y singing joyously,) 

Behold, they fly 
To the four parts of the heavens. Even so 
My Brethren shall preach the Cross of Christ 
Throughout the world ; even so my sons, 
Possessing nothing of their own, commit 
Their lives unto the providence of God. 



Love in Umbria jj 

Humble 

I would 
Our Little Brother could have heard thy ser- 
mon 1 

Francesco 
My little child ! The first to trust in me, 
Leaving his toys for prayer. He will believe 
When all else falter. 

Humble 
None can ever leave thee, 
Our Little Father ! 

Francesco 

Some there are who name 
Me father, yet they are no kin of mine ! 
For whoso doeth the will of my Father which 

is 
In Heaven, the same is my brother and sister 
and mother. 

Humble 
Teach me thy will that I may be thy kins- 
man. 
Behold what comes — a charger riderless, 
With sable trapping for a warrior's death. 
How many other saddles too were empty 
Before that rider fell ! A score of days. 
And he will be forgot, unless perchance 



78 Love in Umbria 

His charger neigh for him. Epitome 
Of the world of strife ! 

{Enter y left, a soldier of low rank, leading a charger. 
Humble begs alms of him.) 
Francesco 

God save his soul ! 
Soldier {giving a coin to Humble) 

Aye, Father, 
We all need prayers. But I must think that 

God 
When He looked down and saw him scale the 

wall 
Hath thought, " This man will make a valiant 

angel 
"To storm the gates of Hell." So now he 

serves 
Under the Lord of Hosts! 

{He uncovers his head,) 
Francesco 

A prayer to speed him, 
Whilst thou, dear Brother Humble, spread our 

store 
And welcome our guest to our inn. 

(Francesco begins to pray. Humble offers 
the soldier food. Suddenly Humble notices 
the trappings of the horse,) 



Love in Umbria 79 

Humble 

Sensoli arms 
Embroidered here ? The loss is mine alone ! 
(He flings his arms across the saddle^ bow- 
ing his head upon the charger s neck.) 
Pietro^ the soldier 
You loved my Captain? Ah, I know you 

now! 
Could I ever mistake your face for his ? Mark 

you, 
Each man hath changed his costume since that 

day 
I climbed to your balcony. The beggar's earned 
A soldier's mail ; the pall lies over one ; 
And you, wearing the garb of charity. 
Would give the bread denied when I entreated 
In Perusia's name. 

(T!he charger whinnies mournfully^ 
Come, my bonny girl. 
Thou goest to feed in quiet pastures where 
This arched leg shall stiffen and thy mane 
Bristle with burrs. And when upon thy face 
The black hairs whiten and the film of blue 
Shall cloud thy sight, even then at times thy 

nostrils 
Shall foam when thou art dreaming of the battle 



8o Love in Umbria 

And thy bold master's rein. It should have been 
For both one last wild plunge from reddest life 
To death ! 

[He goes out, right , leading the charger,) 

Francesco 
Praised be my Lord for Sister Death ! 
To righteous souls she bringeth only blessing. 
These green fields, do they speak to thee of hope, 
The hue of Paradise ? The chant of birds, 
How harsh compared with the unending praise 
Of angels ! 

Humble 
Nay, the universe is foreign. 
And I am homeless, without kin. Your beasts 
Are not my brothers, your sisters of the air, 
I heed them not ! 

Francesco 

Hast thou not chosen me 
To be thy kin? Wilt thou deny me. Brother? 

Humble 
Have you no other name to call me? 

Francesco 

Friend, 
Our guest did scorn our entertainment. Where- 
fore 
Hath he reproached thee? 



LoveinUmbria 8i 

Humble 

Must I heed every beggar 
Whose claim must be most just ? 

Francesco 

They said to Jesus, 
"When saw we thee a-hungered and we fed 
Thee not?" 

Humble 
I do entreat you, Father, tell me 
Again how looked Valente*s eyes when you 
Denied him entrance? 

Francesco 

At the last he wept 
And begged thy prayers and blessed thee. 

Humble 

Aye, *t is Hke. 
My way to him was always wisest, noblest. 
When we were boys he used to beg me read 
The tales of martial deeds: Leonidas, 
Horatius, some foolhardy knight. And both 
He marvelled at alike, the storied hero 
And his dear scholar. How I loved to watch 
His crimson deepen ! Now his face gleams white 
In death ! 

Francesco 
God chose him for His warrior ! 



82 Love in Umbria 

Humble {bitterly) 
So on men's lips his name shall be heroic; 
And I am Brother Humble. 

Francesco 

There are deeds 
As valiant God shall lay on thee; our task 
Is now to learn His bidding. I command 
That thou by holy obedience turn round 
And round in the road and never cease to 

turn 
Until I speak. 

Humble {puzzled) 
What is your will ? 
Francesco 

Obey! 
Humble {sullenly) 
Aye, prove me as thou wilt ! 

(Francesco kneels in the road and begins to 
pray. Humble turns round so many times 
that he becomes dizzy and falls ; but rises 
and continues his task,) 

Francesco {with closed eyes) 

Brother, stand still. 
Which way art thou facing now ? 
Humble {shortly) 

It is the north. 



Love in Umbria 83 

Francesco 
That is the way that God would have thee go. 
{Opening his eyes,) And I face southwards. By 

our dear Lord's grace, 
It is the road that leadeth to Saint Damian's. 
Beneath that olive shade mine eyes, grown dim 
From weeping o'er my sins, shall be restored ; 
There shall my spirit quicken through the serv- 
ice 
Of holy Clare. Come hither to me when thou 
Shalt have performed thy mission. 

Humble 

What 's your will ? 
Francesco 
Yon lies Perusia. Preach in the market-place 
The sweetness of repentance and the love 
Of God. 

Humble 
Thou knowest not my people ; they 
Are vapid, volatile, ignoble ; deaf 
To heavenly poesie ! 

Francesco 

Hast thou never loved 
Thy neighbor, then how shalt thou love thy 

God? 
My son refuses ? 



84 Love in Umbria 

Humble 
Let me counsel thee. 
Francesco 
Is not the Lord our Counsellor, who shewed 
The way? I speak with His authority, 
Who am the vilest of all sinners; thus 
Mankind may know all virtue and all power 
Proceed from God and not from any creature. 
O Brother Humble, Brother Humble, yield 
To God ! 

(Humble turns without speakings taking 
the road up the hill, rear.) 

And on thy way lift up thy voice 
In antiphon of praise, that I may know 
My son remembereth his Father's will. 
{Singing.) Now He hath conquered me 
All enmity shall cease ; 
And love in verity 

Attend upon our peace. 
Humble {hidden by the trees ; with faltering voice) 
'T is Christ enamours me, 

I am mighty through His grace ! 
My heart shall faithful be 
To Christ who comforts me. 
My heart 's aflame with love ! 
(When the voice has ceased, Francesco 
sinks down upon the rock ; spent, lonely.) 



Love in Umbria 85 

Francesco 
Francesco, thou art homeless, without kin ! 
My kindred of the earth and air, I pray, 
Be very kind to me ! Good Messer Sun, 
Veil me thy rays a little, lest thy glory 
Shall blind me ! [Bathing his eyes,) 

Pure and gentle Sister Water, 
Thy touch is like my mother's hand; and I 
Am homeless, without kin ! But once I found 
A consolation in the chill embrace of snow. 

{He breaks flowering branches from a tree 
and makes of them three mounds ; one long 
and a little one on either side. He kneels 
beside them?) 

I am not alone. Here lies my wife. 
And here my little children. 

{He caresses them^ kissing the blossoms?) 

What 's to do, 
My darlings ? I who lack for time to serve 
The Lord, how shall I care for you ? Call 

me 
No more, no more, my own most dear ! The 

Lord 
Hath need of me ! Call me no more, no more! 
{He rises from his knees and goes out, right, 
singing joyously.) 



86 Love in Umbria 

My heart shall faithful be 
To Christ who comforts me ! 
My heart's aflame with love! 
My heart 's aflame with love ! 

CURTAIN 



ACT III 

Scene 2. 



Scene: ^he garden at Saint Damians, Dawn, In 
the rear and across the sides ^ the cloister. In 
the foreground^ rights a little hut of wil- 
low boughs. At rear^ left^ a wide gate open- 
ing upon the road, I'he Poor Ladies may 
be heard chanting the " Praise of the 
Creatures.'' Francesco appears at the door 
of the hut, groping his way. He listens ecstat- 
ically to his hymn, 

'The Poor Ladies {singing) 

MOST high, all-powerful, benignant Lord, 

To Thee all praise and honor we accord ! 

Thine be all blessing. Thine all laud and fame. 

No man is worthy to pronounce Thy name ! 

Praised be my Lord for all that Thou hast 

done: 
For all Thy creatures, specially Messer Sun, 
Our Brother, who bestows the light of day. 



88 Love in Umbria 

How beautiful and splendid is his ray, 
Whereby Thy majesty he must display ! 

Praised be my Lord for Sisters Moon and Star, 
So clear and lovely set in Heaven afar! 

Praised be my Lord for Brother Wind ; for air 
And clouds ; as well for stormy weather as fair ; 
Since all Thy creatures rest beneath Thy care. 

Praised be my Lord for Sister Water ; lowly 
Yet precious, useful, and exceedingly holy. 

Praised be my Lord for Brother Fire, our light 
That can illume the darkness of the night ; 
Robust and jocund is he, strong and bright. 

Praised be my Lord likewise for Mother Earth, 
Who hath been nurse and guardian from our 

birth ; 
Of grass and flower and fruit she knows no 

dearth. 

Praised be my Lord for all who grant forgive- 
ness 
For love of Thee; or bear distress and weakness 



Love in Umbria 89 

In peace. O blessed folk, in verity, 

For Thou shalt crown them for eternity. 

Praised be my Lord for Sister Death-of-the- 

Body, 
From whom no living man escapeth, truly. 
Ah, woe to them that mock Thy holy will ! 
But blessed are they that all Thy laws fulfil ; 
To them the second death can work no ill. 

Praise ye and bless the Lord, and thankfully 
Serve Him forever with humility. 

Amen. 
(Clare enters from the cloister, rear. She 
hastens to Francesco, supporting him to a 
bench.) 

Francesco 
Ah, Clare, 't is thou ? 

Clare 
Who else, my blessed Father ? 
None else shall tend thee in these hours of pain. 
Hast thou enjoyed the little house I made ? 
Thy look declares thou art refreshed by sleep. 
What of the night ? 

Francesco 

I could not sleep for pain. 



90 Love in Umbria 

Clare 
Alas! 

Francesco 
And yet my soul hath been refreshed 
By greater gift than sleep. 

Clare 

What means thy look ? 
Thou art transfigured ! 

Francesco 
I have heard God's voice ! 
Clare 

holy saint ! 

Francesco {turning from her and speaking coldly) 
What is the hour ? 
Clare 

*T is Prime. 
Thou needst refreshment now. 

Francesco (absently) 

I need no food. 

1 am satisfied. 

Clare 
This suffering wasteth thee. 
And I must tend thee. Could I bear the pain 
Thou shouldst not suffer it. 

Francesco 

My tender Clare ! 



Love in Umbria 91 

I should have failed and fallen from our faith 
Without thee. Take my blessing now, lest never 
I rest again beneath this shade — 

Clare 

No more ! 
This cannot be the end ! 

Francesco 

Sister, I know 
That we shall meet in Paradise. 

Clare {humbly but ecstatically) 

Amen ! 
Francesco {whispering with a look of awe) 
It was revealed to me. Ah, Clare, Clare, 
Thou kneel to me ? Once more my little maid 
Fleeing to me at night ? The jewelled hair 
Shorn at the altar, all those shimmering robes 
Put off for these sad garments ! Do they lie 
About thee softly ? 

Clare 
Tenderer than velvet. 
(^he bell at the gate rings, 'through the bars 
may be seen two brown-clad figures?^ 
A message from the Portiuncula. 

Francesco 
God send good tidings from a little son 
Concerning whom my heart is heavy laden ; 



92 Love in Umbria 

I fear me lest the Devil, like a wolf. 
Shall seize my lamb ! 

Clare 
But thou, the watchful shepherd, 
Can save thy flock. 

{She admits Brothers Juniper and Humble. 
Juniper bows low before her without look- 
ing into her face. Humble looks at her 
curiously. Clare receives their salutations 
humbly, with averted look?) 
Juniper 
The Lord give thee His peace. 
Most holy Sister Clare. 

Clare 

God save you both, 
But name me not as holy who am but 
A poor vile woman. 

Humble (aside) 

The garb of poverty 
Mars not the loveliness of high-born beauty. 
This austere loveliness makes ruddier cheeks 
Look blowzy. 

Juniper 
Brother Humble greeteth thee, 
Who recently hath come to dwell with us. 
Leaving a high estate for lowliness. 



Love in Umbria 



93 



Humble 
The very winds are gentle here ; the flowers 
Bloom frailest, loveliest ; the only birds 
Soft murmuring doves. Within is quietude, 
Save for the chant of prayer and praise of hymn. 
Here faces wear the pallid loveliness 
Of Heaven. 

Clare [coldly) 
Since here are human hearts, here too 
Are sin and sufl^ering. This is a house 
Of penitence and labor. 

[She points to a Sister who goes and comes in 
the far corner of the garden^ laboriously 
filling jars of water at the well.) 

God befriend her ! 
Her mind 's well-nigh distraught. A hidden sin, 
I fear, blacker than penances reveal. 
Yet she confesses fault enough, desires 
Of the flesh, pride, wilful disobedience. 

Humble 
I Ve marked the Religious at his penances. 
As ardent as a lover. What is here 
But frailty and languor and a mind 
Distraught ? 

Clare 
I must increase the penances. 
Lest she should die unshriven. 



94 Love in Umbria 

Juniper 

Sister Clare, 
We are all sinners, I, the worst of men. 
The Devil spreads his toils for Brother Humble; 
Wherefore against his will I came with him. 

Clare (looking full at Humble) 
He is expected. 

Juniper 
We have been delayed. 
For on our way we met some stranger folk 
Who, when they saw our garb, saluted us 
Most reverently and would have kneeled to us. 
But the Poor Brethren rather would be scorned 
And mocked even as their Master was. So I, 
To make them scorn me, mounted on a log 
With children playing see-saw ; till at leagth 
They turned and left us, saying, " He *s a fool ! " 
Whereby I was more pleased than by their 

awe 
And reverence. 

Clare 
Oh, Brother Juniper, 
Thou plaything of Jesus Christ ! 

Humble 

Then it is holy 
To play the fool 1 



Love in Umbria 95 

Juniper 
Revile me all thou wilt, 
But guard thy tongue from speaking blasphemy ! 
Sweet Brother Humble, I would succor thee; 
I can advise thee how to keep thy tongue 
From speaking evil. I myself have kept 
For six months silence in this manner : first, 
For love of God in Heaven ; the second day, 
For love of Jesu Christ, His Son; the third. 
For love of the Holy Spirit; on the fourth. 
For reverence to the Holy Virgin Mary ; 
And thus each day, for love of some sweet saint, 
I kept the six months' silence. Likewise thou — 

Humble 
For all the saints in Heaven, be silent now ! 

Clare 
Thy Father yearneth for thy coming. Go 
Confess thyself to him. And he is blind 
And suffering. Canst thou bring comfort ? 

Humble 

Blind, 

Those luminous eyes ? {Aside.) But they shall 

read my soul ! 

(Clare beckons Juniper into the chapel. As 

they pass the Sister at the well, Juniper 

addresses her gently.) 



96 Love in Umbria 

Juniper 
The Lord give thee His peace, dear Sister. 
Dolorosa [startled^ tremulous^ then reassured by 

bis face) 

Peace ! 
Here is no lack of peace ! Rather a surfeit ! 
Could you not die of peace ? Listen ! No sound 
But placid, passionless content of doves. 
No vivid hue, only the fragile beauty 
Of flowers that languish in the cloister shade. 

Humble [transfixed by her voice) 
Blighted and torn ! As if it could be nature 
The poppy should take on the lily*s hue. 

Dolorosa 
The silence deafens, or a mockery 
Of voices call to me ! I pray and beat 
Mine ears, yet ever the luring voices shrill 
Above the sacred peace. The strum of lutes. 
The flutter of fans, and spurs ringing ! The 

laugh 
Of children here in a house of barren women ! 
Yet Sister Clare 's content, and you look happy. 
Something exalts your face — something, some- 
thing — 

Juniper {pityingly) 
*T is only a poor cobbler, my lady. 



Love in Umbria 97 

Clare 

He 

Remembereth our Lord's command, "Whoso 
" Will come after me, let him deny himself." 

Dolorosa 
Then I should be most happy. Have I not 
Denied myself? Put off a wedding robe 
For this sad garb ? Aye, sadder than the hue 
That honors death ! I might be crowned with 

grief. 
Touched by the glory of the heroic dead. 
This is the hue of life that ne'er was quick, 
Of death-in-life! 

Humble {aside) 
Wouldst make me hate the dead ? 
Dolorosa 
But when I lived carelessly, I was good, 
For then I loved to pray. But now my prayers 
Find no acceptance in God's sight. 

Clare 

Pray on. 

When thou art worthy, thou shalt find an answer. 

{Meanwhile Humble has filled the jar and 

is about to bear it to the cloister; but 

Clare forbids by a gesture. She enters^ 

followed by Juniper.) 



98 Love in Umbria 

Dolorosa {dully) 
Obedience is best. 

{She goes to the gate and opens it.) 
I know the secret 
Of the lock. The gate is open wide. Where 

should 
I go ? That garden where the flowers bloom 
The gayest — there a haunting memory 
Brings faintness like the wind o*er lily fields. 
Where should I hide me with my shaven head 
And ragged gown ? It is my appointed labor. 
{She takes the jar from Humble and lifts 
it, staggering, to her shoulder. She enters 
the cloister,) 
I thank you, Sir. Obedience is best. 

Humble 
O beautiful white vision, like a star. 
Flooding the wide earth for a gleaming moment, 
Whereby I saw the world, and it is good ! 
That lost, quick-pulsing world, wherein I moved 
A shadow *mid the quick ! 

(Francesco has risen from his bench and 
gropes his way to Humble.) 
Francesco 

Who is it near me ? 
My little sheep of God ? 



Love in Umbria 99 

Humble {without turning) 

I have obeyed thee. 
Francesco 
What of the harvest ? 

Humble 

Barren. 
Francesco 

Then thou art 
A thriftless husbandman. 

Humble 

The soil is worthless. 
Francesco 
Only untilled. The seed of God's dear word 
Will sprout in barren places if the sower 
Be diligent. What said thou unto them, 
And they to thee ? 

Humble 
Ah, there was scorn and insult 
To satisfy the lowliest of the Brothers. 
Even the zany cobbler would be content. 
" My Lord in rags ? " bawled out a dirty fellow ; 
" Now he *11 rub elbows with us common folk! " 
And jostled me down into the gutter. 
" Is she still fair, your Lady Poverty?** 
Who spoke those words was to have called me 
brother. 



loo Love in Umbria 

Then one opposed, " The garb he wears is holy!'* 
Another, "Shame! Would lovers of Perusia 
" Mock at the kinsman of her martyred hero ? " 
I know not who spoke thus, but all the throng 
Took up the words, unbonneted, and thus 
They let me pass from out the market-place. 
Where trophies and funereal trappings hung, 
And eyes filmed swiftly at my brother's name. 
O Heaven, the bitterness ! 

Francesco 

So, Brother Faintheart, 
Hear my commandment. Go thou once again 
Unto thy people. Say to them, " Give ear 
" To my confession and forgive, for I 
" Shall only be absolved by you. My life 
" Was like an empty cup to fevered lips, 
"A stone to the starving. Therefore God denies 
" The sanctuary I seek." My little son. 
What other words are true ? 

(Humble makes no reply. His face is sullen.) 

Then shalt thou say, 
" Now am I come to ask some service mean 
" Enough to prove my penitence — " 

(Francesco hesitates, pondering. Suddenly 

they hear without the tinkle of a bell, as 

if moving.) 



Love in Umbria loi 

A sign 
From Heaven ! Dost hear the leper's warning 

bell 
That speaks for him, " Beware, I am unclean!" 
Hearest thou not the cry his heart would utter, 
"Outcast, alone!" God hath appointed thee 
To be their guardian. 

Humble {aghast) 

The leprosy! 
Francesco 
Thou hearest my command. Thou shalt obey, 
Answer me by the merit of holy obedience. 
{He waits wistfully for an answer. Receiv- 
ing none, he turns toward the chapel. On 
the way he hesitates^ 
But sinners are brought back to God rather 
By gentleness than wrath. — My little son! 
{Enter Sister Dolorosa carrying a howl of 
milk. She persuades him to return to the 
bench.) 

Dolorosa 
I have been bid to offer you this food. 

Francesco 
Is this the voice I heard beside the well ? 

Dolorosa 
Aye, Father. 



I02 Love in Umbria 

Francesco 
I have heard that voice before 
In another garden — 

Dolorosa 
— Where the flowers were gay 
And peasant children sang of love and I 
Was the Child of Joy! 

Humble {within the hut of willow) 
My Child of Joy! 
Dolorosa 

But here 
The Sisters name me Sister Dolorosa. 

Francesco {listening) 
We are alone? Then silently and soon 
The vow of holy obedience has been kept. — 
Thou shalt be Child of Blessedness, my Sis- 
ter. 
Dolorosa {singing softly as she twines a wreath 
of white roses) 
There 's nothing that can compare I 
Silk o' the corn, *tis rougher 
Than Some One's golden hair ! 

{She flings down the flowers,) 
A curious song to offer at the Hours; 
It mingles with the prayer, discordant strives 
To outshrill canticle. Do vou remember 



Love in Umbria 103 

The last dear glimpse of earth ere you were blind ? 

Does it not burn before your eyes? 

Francesco 

The darkness 

Was gathering slowly — 

Dolorosa {looking up at the lowering sky) 

Like the sky above. 

What if a hand was smote across your eyes, 

A blow for a caress ! or if your ears 

Were deafened suddenly, would not the last 

Dear sound re-echo evermore ? 

Francesco 

My Sister, 

The voice of God shall speak to thee above 
The mockery of earthly sounds. This night 
Within my little cell I heard God's voice. 
Wouldst listen for that sweet mysterious mes- 
sage? 

Dolorosa 

Nor prayers nor penances unstop mine ears 
To hear your mysteries. 

Francesco 

Wilt thou not eat 

For me? I need no food. 

Dolorosa {taking the cup from him) 
Yes, I am hungry. {She puts it down.) 
And yet I cannot eat. 



I04 LoveinUmbria 

Francesco 

But daintiness 
And piety cannot agree. 

Dolorosa 

When I 
Was better fed, I prayed the more. 

Francesco 

This robe 
Discomforts thee? 

Dolorosa 
Ah, shivering where my jewel 
Was wont to glow! 

Humble [aside) 
How lightly slipped my gem 
Into the soot! 

Dolorosa 
'T is curious how gems 
And hearts are different. For always the fire 
Will glow within the jewel. 

Francesco 

Wilt thou listen 
Unto God's word? 

Dolorosa 

Yes, I will listen, only 
I shall not understand, for I was born 
Of flesh, and you do claim to be a kinsman 



Love in Umbria 105 

To sunshine and the cloud, fire and the wind, 
Starlight and water. Even the very earth 
You tread is dear to you. My love was little. 
Encompassed all in one. 

Francesco 

Where is thy hand? 
I charge thee, listen. In the night I cried 
To God, "Give grace to me. Thy lamb, that 

through 
" No weakness of the flesh I fall from thee ! '* 
For I was crazed with fever in mine eyes. 
Straightway there came an awful voice from 

Heaven : 
"Francesco, answer me, thy Lord. Were all 
"The earth of gold; were all the rivers, founts, 
"And seas of balm; were all the mountains, 

hills, 
" And rocks of precious stones ; and it were true 
"That thou hadst found a treasure dearer far 
"As gold is far more precious than earth, and 

balm 
"Than water, likewise precious stones than 

rocks 
"And hills ; then if that far more precious treas- 
ure 
"Were granted thee, together with this pain, 



io6 Love in Umbria 

"So oughtest thou not therewith to be content 
"And very light of heart?" I marvelled so 
I scarce could answer. At length I murmured, 

"Lord, 
" I am unworthy of such precious treasure." 
Again the Word of God came out of Heaven; 
"Be of good cheer, Francesco, this affliction 
" Of pain and weakness is a sign to thee 
"Of what I have in store for thee, the treas- 
ure 
" Beyond all treasures, the gift of life eternal." 
{He ceaseSy spent with ecstasy. Dolorosa has 

been intent rather upon the exaltation of 

his look than on his meaning. She speaks 

quietly y at length.) 

Dolorosa 
I love to think his face must shine like yours ; 
Uplift to God and rapt in ecstasy ! 
Before his eyes the shining mysteries. 
And God's voice calling him from Heaven. 

Almost 
Am I content. 

Humble {aside) 

The torture of Hell ! To stand 
Transfixed before a mirror where I see 
My hideousness ! 'T is but a masquerade, 



Love in Umbria 107 

My garb and title of humility. 
A mockery of God. Oh, to have worn 
My velvet with a braver grace, to die. 
So to earn laurels from my people ; even 
To be dear to mine own knaves who flouted 
me! 

warrior angel, with what wounding eyes 
Thou leanest down to me ! Seest thou me 
Entirely now ? What need hadst thou of Heaven 
Who found earth worth the living and the 

dying ! 
Beats there in me one pulse akin to thine? 

1 am abandoned of earth and Heaven, of all 
Save her I marred the most! 

Dolorosa 

Why do you weep? 
That 1 am sinful, all-unhallowed 
By that white radiance that shines on him ? 
But you are blind from weeping. Sister Clare 
Shall comfort you. Tell me before you go 
The penance for my words. 

Francesco {opening the door and calling) 

Art thou within, 
Sister Innocenza ? 

Innocenza [appearing) 
Little Father ! 



io8 Love in Umbria 

Francesco 
Thou shalt have aid of Sister Dolorosa 
To prune thy roses. {He goes in.) 

Innocenza {shyly, at her task) 

'T is the task I love 
More than the praises and the prayers, almost 
As dear to me as perfuming the altar. 
The sheltering walls are kind to my white roses. 

'Dolorosa 
This branch had rooted on the other side. 
The topmost flower is crimson ; here below 
The petals pale. How long before the vine 
Forgets it ever bore a crimson blossom ? — 
I hear another footstep in the garden. 

Innocenza 
We are alone. Sometimes I think the buds 
That die unblown are wisest. 

Dolorosa 

Why? 
Innocenza 

The wind 
Shall shatter the full blown. 

Dolorosa {turning up Innocenza's/^f^) 

Ah, better so 
Than to be shrivelled in the bud! — I heard 
A sigh within the hut ! 



Love in Umbria 109 

Innocenza 

What I have heard 
Was mirthful music coming near. 

Dolorosa 

Your ear 
Is eager for the noises of the world 
That pass your gate. 

Innocenza 

Nay, I do tell my beads 
Aloud when wanton gaiety goes by. 
Listen ! The air is strangely like the song 
I Ve heard thee murmur at thy penances. 

{She remembers herself and begins to tell her 
heads ^ 

Chorus {approaching) 
" When'er she combs her tresses, 
Veil that 's spun of foam and sun 
Must fold those little shoulders 
In lingering caresses ! " 
(In a burst of sunshine the wedding party of 
Innocenza and Felice go by,) 
Innocenza {the bride) 
Sing softly here ! Ah, sing no more ! 

Felice 

True heart, 
Sad on thy wedding day ? 



no Love in Umbria 

Innocenza {selecting a wreath of scarlet 'poppies 
from her garlands^ 

These are her flowers. 
Shall they give balm or sorrow? She will know 
My heart doth bleed for her. 

{She throws the wreath over the gate.) 
Felice 

No clouded eyes 
To-day ! My song again, the song she loves ! 
{'The bridal party passes singing.) 
There 's nothing that can compare. 
Flower o' the broom, thou art too dull. 
Bloom o' the wheat, 't is paler, 
Silk o' the corn, *t is rougher 
Than Some One's golden hair I 
Sister Innocenza {tenderly y wondering) 
Ah, Sister Dolorosa, what shall be 
Our name for thee since thou hast learned to 

weep ? — 
The garden seems to echo with her cry — 
Poppies are gay. Why should they make thee 

weep ? 
How came they here ? 

Dolorosa 

A bride went singing by. 
Innocenza 
I would not hear the song ! 



Love in Umbria m 

Dolorosa {significantly) 

Her name like yours 
Is Innocence! — A bridal gift for me ! 
What can I know of bridals save the giving? 

Innocenza {troubled) 
Let us go in. My roses, nestle your heads 
Under the leaves ; the clouds are black with 
storm. 
{She enters the cloister. Humble bars the 
entrance to Dolorosa.) 
Humble 
Heart of my heart, I '11 love thee into joy 
Again ! 

{He peers into her face and starts back.) 
Dolorosa 
O Mother of God ! That hour has come 
I thought would bring me death. 

Humble 

O God, for mercy 
A miracle ! Breathe flame to dying ashes 1 

Dolorosa {praying) 
O God, wilt Thou refuse Thy voice to me 
Alway? O Mary, woman, dost Thou hear? 
Do saints forget in Heaven they loved on earth ? 
Teach me to answer him! 

(T^he door of the chapel opens. Brother Juni- 



112 Love in Umbria 

per comes down the steps^ passing them 
without noticing them. Tou see through the 
open door a narrow cell, and at the end of 
the corridor the lights of the altar, shining 
through the gathering darkness, There is 
a murmur of chanting.) 
Juniper 

O pitying God, 
Keep Brother Humble holy ! Sweet my Lord, 
Keep Brother Humble holy ! Even thus 
I '11 pray a hundred times at every Hour, 
And thrice a hundred if 1 chance to wake 
At night — nay, I will lie upon the ground 
Lest I should sleep and thus the prayers be lost. 
Most gentle Lamb, keep Brother Humble holy! 
{He passes through the gatCy still repeating 
his prayer. Dolorosa lets the flowers slip 
from her arms.) 

Dolorosa 
O pitying God, Thou shinest on my heart, 
And my desire is open. Sweet my Lord, 
No chiding but the gift of heart's desire ! 
Most gentle Lamb, keep Brother Humble holy! 
{Aside^ 'T is nothing to be feared, the voice of 

God! 
A little stilling of the heart, music 



Love inUmbria 113 

Of far-ofF harmonies, like coming sleep, 
And light on everything ! 

{She gazes contentedly at her cell.) 
Now I must know 
I shall go softly evermore. 

{She turns as if remembering him suddenly y 
but not poignantly.) 

I had 
Forgot ; you have been near to death. You must 
Be lacking food. {She holds out the cup.) 

Humble {yielding at length) 

Always from thee to me ? 
{He takes the cup from her.) 
Dolorosa 
What heavenly visions do you see ? Your eyes 
Are mystical! 

Humble 
I see the sacrament 
Your hands hold out to me. 

{Again the bell tinkles.) 
Dolorosa 

What do you hear ? 
Humble 
The altar bell ! 

Dolorosa 
What do you wait ? 



114 Love in Umbria 

Humble 

Forgiveness. 
Dolorosa {withdrawing) 
The Lord give thee His peace! 

{She passes through the door into her cell, 
'The chanting grows distinct.) 
The Sisters (within) 
I beseech Thee, O Lord, that the sweet and 
fiery strength of Thy love may draw my soul 
from all things under Heaven, that I may die 
for love of Thy love even as Thou didst deign 
to die for love of my love. Amen. (The door 
closes.) 

Humble 
" He wounded me to prove 
" My heart can break for love ! " 

(Stretching out his arms to the sky.) 
Spirit of flame ! My soul kindles and leaps 
To prove its kinship ! 

(His tone and gesture become those of 
Valente.) 

I am born again 
Into some shape of thee! Now may God send 
A valiant, dear endeavor for the world 
Two that I love found purposeful and sweet. 

{Again the bell tinkles.) 



Love in Umbria 115 

O God, the sign ! For me the garb of meekness, 
[exultant) For me the storm, for me the leprosy! 
Blow, winds, and smite me to the earth ! And 

rain. 
Stain me and drench my limbs into a fever ! 
And I will sing, for singing on the lips 
Of agony is bitterer than tears ! 

{'I'be gate clangs behind him. The storm 
sweeps down, blotting out the scene. But 
above the storm may be heard the voice of 
Brother Humble singing) 
He wounded me to prove 
My heart can break for love ! 
My heart *s aflame v/ith love ! 
My heart's aflame with love ! 

CURTAIN 



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